Many Cambodian women who once served as surrogates gave birth months or years ago. But they’re often still treated like outsiders in their communities despite the passage of time.

Women’s rights advocate Ros Sopheap says she’s still trying to grasp the psychological implications for women involved in the surrogacy system. But the director of the NGO Gender and Development Cambodia (GADC) says she’s increasingly concerned that the lack of laws in the country has left those swept into the trade more vulnerable.

Members only

Log in or

Join New Naratif as a member to continue reading


We are independent, ad-free and pro-democracy. Our operations are member-funded. Membership starts from just US$5/month! Alternatively, write to sponsorship@newnaratif.com to request a free sponsored membership. As a member, you are supporting fair payment of freelancers, and a movement for democracy and transnational community building in Southeast Asia.

Sineat Yon is a freelance reporter based in Cambodia who covers primarily labor and women's issues. She previously wrote for the Phnom Penh Post and now has reported for South China Morning Post, BBC, UCA News and others.