Insights

In a touching moment, two fathers-to-be shared their excitement about impending parenthood, revealing they had recorded fairy tales for their future daughter. Despite their joy, the civil servants expressed reluctance to discuss the pregnancy with friends, colleagues, or on social media, highlighting the stigma surrounding surrogacy in Italy. The country currently prohibits surrogacy, and a proposed bill aims to penalize Italians who pursue surrogacy abroad, where it remains legal. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is preparing for a Senate vote on this controversial bill in the fall. Meloni's administration has taken a firm stance against surrogacy, reflecting broader conservative values that resonate with her political base. This legislative move has raised concerns among advocates for reproductive rights, who argue it infringes on personal freedoms. On the international front, Meloni has positioned herself as a pragmatic ally to European leaders, particularly in matters such as support for Ukraine. However, her domestic policies reveal a commitment to traditional conservative principles, particularly regarding cultural issues like abortion, gender rights, and surrogacy. This duality in her political approach has sparked debate about the future of reproductive rights in Italy. As the Senate prepares to deliberate on the surrogacy bill, the experiences of families like the two fathers-to-be underscore the emotional and social complexities surrounding parenthood in a restrictive legal environment.