In a striking development, Russia’s lower house of parliament has unanimously approved a bill that would ban “propaganda” promoting a childfree lifestyle. The proposed legislation, touted as a means to bolster the country’s flagging birthrate, has sparked concerns among rights advocates who fear it could pave the way for further erosions of women’s rights in the nation.
A Matter of National Security?
Proponents of the bill have framed the issue as a matter of national security, alleging that arguments against having children are part of a broader Western effort to weaken Russia by encouraging population decline. Elvira Aitkulova, one of the authors of the legislation, described it as “an element of professional propaganda, part of a hybrid war aimed at population reduction.”
This is a strategic bill for the sake of a strong, productive and healthy future.
Elvira Aitkulova, bill author
The move comes as Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, and his top officials seek to portray the country as a bastion of “traditional values” and a bulwark against Western liberal ideas. Last year, Putin called on women to have as many as eight children to secure Russia’s demographic future.
Birthrate Slides to 25-Year Low
Official data released last month suggested Russia’s birthrate had slid to its lowest level in a quarter of a century, a slump exacerbated by the country’s aging population and Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, described the low birthrate as “catastrophic” in July and said halting the decline ranked among the “top priorities for the entire government and the entire country.”
Fines and Deportation
Under the proposed law, individuals deemed to be discouraging people from having children could face fines of up to 400,000 rubles, while businesses or entities could be fined up to 5 million rubles. Foreign nationals who create content advocating childlessness could even face deportation from Russia.
Concerns Over Women’s Rights
The legislation has sparked worries among rights campaigners, who caution that it could set the stage for women’s rights to be further eroded in Russia. Olga Suvorova, a rights activist who works with victims of domestic violence, told Reuters:
The message is clear: give birth, and that’s it. Women are being essentially turned into vessels for bearing children, not taking into account their circumstances, their motivations and whether they aspire to have a career or a family.
Olga Suvorova, rights activist
Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Duma and a powerful ally of Putin, insisted the law would not criminalize women who choose not to have children, writing on Telegram that “the decision to have children or not is up to the woman.” However, critics remain skeptical and fear the legislation could open the door to increased pressure on women to prioritize childbearing over other life choices.
Expansion of “Traditional Values” Push
The bill marks an expansion of Russia’s recent efforts to curb public discourse in favor of what it describes as “traditional values.” In 2022, the country’s parliament passed a law criminalizing any act deemed to promote “non-traditional sexual relations,” leading LGBTQ+ activists to say that public mentions of same-sex relationships were now essentially outlawed in Russia.
As the legislation advances through the Duma, it remains to be seen how it will be enforced and what impact it will have on Russian society. While supporters argue it is necessary to secure the country’s demographic future, detractors worry it could further infringe upon individual freedoms and rights, particularly those of women.
The world will be watching closely as Russia navigates the complex intersection of population policies, traditional values, and personal liberties in the face of stark demographic challenges. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for the Russian people but for the global conversation around reproductive rights and the role of the state in shaping family choices.
