Delegates at conference in Rome are calling for the abolition of surrogacy.
The Casablanca Declaration was signed in 2023 and called for an end to the practise. The conference in Rome brings together experts and policy makers from around the world to speak on the issue.
Before the conference took place, they met with Pope Francis.
During the meeting with Pope Francis, FAFCE President Vincenzo Bassi was joined by Maurel Olivia, a woman born to surrogacy who is now active against the practise.
In a press release, the organisers of the Casablanca Declaration wrote:
The opening of the International Conference in Rome for the universal abolition of surrogacy was a great success
Today's conference in Rome brought together a wide range of speakers of exceptional quality, including numerous ambassadors from several countries, Italian MPs from all political backgrounds, and experts from Europe, Africa, North and South America. In their speeches, Italy's Minister for the Family, Birth and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia ROCCELLA, and the Holy See's Under-Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Miroslaw WACHOWSKI, recalled the importance of the dignity of women and children. They called for the universal abolition of surrogacy.
Olivia Maurel, spokeswoman for the Casablanca Declaration, who was herself born through surrogacy, gave a moving and powerful testimony, telling her story and asserting that the commodification of children is in fact just another form of slavery.
Tomorrow, Reem ALSALEM, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, who confirmed her presence, will introduce the day. A day that promises to be just as dense and fascinating in moving towards the universal abolition of surrogacy.
