Infertilitatea cuplurilor din perspectiva politicii demografice

Abstract

Measures aimed at including medically assisted reproductive technologies in population and family policy have been a distinctive trend over the last two decades. The aim of the study is to assess the role of state policies in supporting infertile couples, based on an analysis of the legal framework with reference to reproductive health and the protection of the institution of the family. According to data from the Generations and Gender Study, about 11% of couples of reproductive ages in the Republic of Moldova face the problem of the inability to conceive a child. The experience of infertility affects the couple through feelings of guilt and shame, situations of disapproval from others, and implications for family stability and well-being. Legislation states that people in the Republic of Moldova have the right to infertility treatment, including the use of medically assisted reproductive technologies, the most commonly used being in vitro fertilization. In reality, there are a number of obstacles for couples who wish to conceive a child using medically assisted reproductive technologies: the high cost of services (in vitro fertilization is currently carried out only privately); territorial inaccessibility due to the concentration of all medical institutions providing medically assisted reproductive services in Chisinau; religious resistance and other ethical issues. The article concludes with examples of European practices and recommendations for improving policies to support infertile couples in Moldova. The article was elaborated within the State Program Project (2020-2023) 20.80009.0807.21 „Migration, demographic changes, and situation stabilization policies”.