Russia's controversial move: Tackling child-free ideology with new laws
2:41 PM EDT, June 27, 2024
Can the government force young women to have children? The Russian Federation has decided to explore this question, with its authorities working on new laws targeting the "extremist ideology" of not having children. Young Russian women are expected to give birth—this is what Vladimir Putin's supporters demand.
Like many countries in Europe, Russia is grappling with decreasing fertility rates. This issue is critical because proper population growth underpins many benefits and the labor market in any given country.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the Kremlin is increasingly focusing on the problem of low fertility rates. This situation in Vladimir Putin's country is exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine, during which many young Russians, who are potential fathers, die or are maimed for life.
However, the declining number of men ready to start families in Russia is not as significant to the Kremlin. What is considered a much more critical "problem" is the increasing number of young Russian women who decide not to have children. The Russian government plans to address this issue.
The Russian government is working on a law fighting the lack of children
The issue of worsening fertility was raised at the International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg by Vsevolod Vukolov. He stated that it is time to start combating this "extremist trend" among young Russian women. To this end, special legislative projects are already being prepared.
We are currently actively preparing legislative projects that will prevent the spread of the child-free ideology, which claims that today there is no need for girls—especially young ones—to give birth, and that we can do without children. There are many such extremist ideologies today," said Deputy Minister of Justice Vsevolod Vukolov, quoted by Bielsat.
Such a strong statement by Vukolov may signal a return to the times of the USSR for women in Russia. During that era, contraception and abortion were completely banned. Today, Putin's country is one of the leaders in the number of abortions performed annually. It is very likely that the new regulations will primarily target this right.
