Surrogacy and bodily autonomy as a matter of sexual and reproductive justice

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Podcast

On 8 October 2025, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) co-hosted a global webinar titled “Surrogacy as a Matter of Sexual and Reproductive Justice” in partnership with the Just Futures Collaborative, Center for Reproductive Rights, Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA), and the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice.

This event situated surrogacy within the wider framework of sexual and reproductive justice, human rights, and bodily autonomy.

The webinar explored human-rights approaches to surrogacy, the effects of criminalization and prohibition, and evidence-informed regulatory and feminist perspectives. The discussion showed how surrogacy can be grounded in autonomy, dignity, equality, and protection from exploitation.

Guided by an intersectional lens, the webinar examined how gender, sexuality, race, class, religion, migration, economic inequality, and labour rights shape surrogacy. Participants also considered evidence on how restrictive frameworks undermine rights and discuss strategies for coalition-building and advocacy across movements.

Speakers

Sarojini Nadimpally | Co-founder of Sama Resource Group for Women and Health

Eng Chandy | Executive Director of Gender and Development for Cambodia (GADC)

Verónica Esparza | Research Coordinator, Grupo de Información en Reproducción Elegida (GIRE)

Nerima Were | Legal Director at The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA)

Subha Wijesiriwardena | Co-director of Just Futures Collaborative

Moderator:

Eszter Kismodi | Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters