NJP Volume 8 Number 1 2025

?L? ? DI NWANY?: THE IGBO AFRICAN CONTEXTUALISATION OF CULTURAL SURROGACY AND GILLIGAN’S ETHICS OF CAR

MIRIAN Ngozi Alike PhD
Abstract

In Igbo African tradition, cultural surrogacy arrangements involve complex webs of relationships, care, and reciprocity. This study employs Carol Gilligan’s Ethics of Care to examine the experiences of women involved in cultural surrogacy, highlighting the importance of empathy, compassion, and relationality. Through a qualitative research design, this study explores the tensions between individual rights and communal interests, arguing that women’s autonomy and agency must be preserved within a framework of care and mutual responsibility. The study advocates for policies and practices that promote the well-being, dignity, and human rights of women involved in cultural surrogacy, recognizing the intrinsic value of care and relationships in Igbo African tradition.

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