Baby Factory Syndicate: An Emerging Trend of Trafficking in Agunloye’s Disposable Womb

Abstract

Human trafficking has been described as a crime that involves the recruitment of people and compelling or coercing them to provide labour or services or to engage in commercial sex acts. Men, women, and children of all ages and from all backgrounds have become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. The baby factory phenomenon is the latest form of human trafficking and sex slavery in Nigeria. Although relatively new in Nigeria, this latest trend of human trafficking is rapidly flourishing and gradually gaining ground as a big enterprise in different parts of the country. The baby factory practices involve young women who are held captive and forced to produce babies for sale or trafficking. This is obviously a very dangerous trend that requires serious attention because of the physical, mental, and psychological effects of the baby making activities. This paper, therefore, explores the factors responsible for the growth of the clandestine business as depicted in Irene Agunloye’s Disposable Womb. The paper adopts the analytical method of data analysis since the data for the analysis are sourced from the play text. The findings reveal that women’s desperation and patronage of the baby factories are due to the stigmatisation of childless couples in Nigeria. This desperation has led to an increase in the demand for babies. The derivable financial benefits from the baby harvesting business have also contributed to the growth of the industry, which results in physical, psychological, and sexual violence to the victims. The paper condemns the evil practice and proffers possible solutions.