Casablanca Declaration Conference calls for universal abolition of surrogacy

The IV International Conference of the Casablanca Declaration has commenced at the Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City. The event brings together specialists, jurists, psychiatrists, and academics from 73 countries to demand the universal abolition of reproductive exploitation, commonly referred to as surrogacy or ‘renta de vientres’.

Speakers at the conference argued that surrogacy constitutes the commodification of the female body and children. Abraham Madero Márquez, executive director of the Early Institute, stated that the practice is an illegal industry and that women's bodies should not be treated as objects or merchandise. María Selette Monjarás of the Universidad Panamericana Human Rights Center emphasized that human dignity should not depend on economic capacity or technological possibilities.

Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, participated via video, warning that surrogacy is a system of exploitation for women and children. She urged countries to prioritize the issue and adopt protective measures to prevent the legalization of these practices.