Invisible victims: investigating the rights and realities of unnamed children in Nigeria's baby factories

Lana Chikhungu, Ugochi Nkwunonwo*, Karen Shalev

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

This research examines the frequently disregarded situation of unidentified children who are born in Nigerian "baby factories," which are establishments where vulnerable women are forced into pregnancy through illegal maternity operations to market the babies. The study centers on the profound repercussions and various manifestations of violence that these children encounter, starting from the moment they are born into clandestine, unregulated settings. This study employs a mixed methods approach, incorporating both quantitative data and qualitative interviews, to examine the ramifications of an absence of legal identity and
the subsequent obstacles to fundamental rights including healthcare, education, and protection. Data were sourced from local NGOs, hospital records, and interviews with survivors, caregivers, and law enforcement officials. Additionally, the research investigates the wider socio-economic ramifications on society and the obstacles in implementing policies that sustain this covert cycle of mistreatment. Preliminary results reveal significant increase in vulnerability due to lack of legal statuses and inadequate legal frameworks. By
exploring the silent suffering experienced by these unidentified children, this study seeks to stimulate discourse regarding the pressing necessity for legal reforms and intervention approaches that safeguard these susceptible individuals from violence, abuse, legal repercussions, guarantee their legal recognition, and facilitate their lawful assimilation while upholding their dignity and rights
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 9 Sept 2024
Event51st Conference of the British Society for Population Studies - University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
Duration: 9 Sept 202411 Sept 2024
https://www.lse.ac.uk/international-development/research/british-society-for-population-studies/annual-conference

Conference

Conference51st Conference of the British Society for Population Studies
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityBath
Period9/09/2411/09/24
Internet address

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