
In a groundbreaking move, Italy has enacted a complete ban on overseas surrogacy, aiming to halt what many in the country see as the commodification of children and the exploitation of surrogate mothers. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government introduced the ban to close a loophole that allowed Italians, including LGBT couples, to recruit surrogate mothers from other countries.
Under the new law, anyone caught engaging in overseas surrogacy will face steep fines of up to $1 million and the possibility of prison time. Meloni has positioned herself as a defender of traditional family values, arguing that children should be raised by a mother and a father. This stance has drawn both support and criticism, with opponents accusing the government of specifically targeting gay and transgender couples.
However, Meloni’s administration insists that the ban is about protecting children and ensuring that motherhood is respected. Surrogacy has been criticized for treating children like commodities, especially when LGBT couples use surrogates to create social media moments. Meloni’s government believes the law will help preserve cultural values and ensure children grow up in stable, traditional households.
The ban has sparked controversy, particularly among LGBT rights groups who view it as an attack on their ability to form families. Despite this, studies that suggest children fare better in homes with both a mother and father have bolstered support for the law.
As Italy faces a declining birthrate, some have argued that surrogacy could help address the population crisis. But Meloni’s government is taking a firm stance against that idea, emphasizing that stable, traditional families are more important than simply having more children.