“… I taught in a secondary school and once in a while you discover that a girl is not in school and you wonder where she is and she disappeared for months and then suddenly reappears nothing happens and that’s where people began to begin to suspect that oh she was pregnant and she went to take away the baby…”
Ugochi Nkwunonwo
Description
In this episode, Karen talks to Ugochi Nkwunonwo about her recent research in baby factories in Nigeria. Young girls who are pregnant are stigmatised in Nigeria. To avoid shame they disappear and sometimes end up in baby factories where they give birth and lose their newborn. Not only is the young girl missing but the newborn is also missing as it has no identity.
Guest
Ugochi Nkwunonwo
Ugochi Nkwunonwo is an early career researcher from the University of Portsmouth, specialising in Area Studies, History, Politics, and Literature. Holding a Master of Arts degree in Religion and Society from the University of Nigeria, she brings a robust academic foundation to her work. With experience in various capacities working with young people, including as a former school administrator, Nkwunonwo is deeply committed to addressing pressing societal issues.
The focus of her study is on the commodification of infants, usually referred to as baby factories, in Nigeria. She conducts a thorough analysis of the political, legal, intellectual, and moral aspects that contribute to this phenomenon, to identify flaws in current policies and preparedness to address these actions. By integrating social theories, primary research data, and geographical analyses, she aims to create novel policy frameworks that prioritise the welfare of children and young people.
The major focus of Nkwunonwo’s study is to eradicate detrimental cultural practices that pose a threat to the well-being of women and children. In addition, she investigates subjects such as child poverty, the influence of the environment on women and children, and the health of the community. Her multidisciplinary approach highlights her dedication to thoroughly solving intricate societal problems.