Ms Marion Boteju:

I thank the Chairman for allowing me to defer the question. I am not aware of the committee's approach to the issue. Questions about the rights of women and children arising in the context of surrogacy and eventual commercial surrogacy reflect on the Commission on the Status of Women and the efforts being made this year by the United Nations to promote the rights of women and families. As we explore surrogacy as a real occurrence and facilitate or promote it, we must take into consideration the long-term effects of legalising surrogacy on the rights of women to access employment and dignified participation in the economy. These issues must be raised because they have normative impacts on other efforts to promote progress for women.