Childbearing is drastically decreasing in Russia.
Soon, the country may ban “propaganda” that urges women not to have children.
– It is important to protect people, primarily the younger generation, from being forced into an ideology of childlessness from the Internet, in the media, in films and in advertising, said State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who is close to President Putin.
Russia is close to a law banning content deemed to promote a child-free lifestyle. In the first of three votes in the Russian State Duma, the proposal received unanimous support, writes Reuters.
The law is part of Russia’s national security strategy. The country is down to its lowest level of childbearing in 25 years – while many continue to die in the war in Ukraine.
Anyone who creates content that violates the law must be fined. Private individuals can be fined 40,000 kroner and companies can be fined over 500,000 kroner.
“Forced to an ideology”
Vladimir Putin has previously urged Russian women to have at least three children, due to the declining numbers. Vyacheslav Volodin, who is close to the president, spoke about the proposal.
– We continue to build a legal framework to protect children, families and traditional values.
Volodin says that it is up to each woman to decide whether she wants to have children. But he believes that younger Russians get “propaganda” that makes them choose to live without children.
– It is important to protect people, primarily the younger generation, from being forced into an ideology of childlessness on the Internet, in the media, in films and in advertising, said Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who is close to President Putin.
March 9, 2023
This is how war affects childbirth – see more in the player above
The criticism: Women become tools
There are also critical voices against the proposal. Olga Suvorova, a Russian women’s rights activist says the message to the country’s women is clear.
– Give birth to children, that’s what counts.
She continues:
– Women are basically reduced to tools for giving birth to children, the circumstances and whether they want a career or a family are not taken into account.