A new Russian ministerial directive from the Ministry of Health recommends sending women who do not want to have children to a psychologist to make them change their minds in the fight against the demographic crisis in Russia.
The decline in the birth rate in Russia is one of the main concerns of President Vladimir Putin since he came to power 25 years ago. And after triggering a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and sending hundreds of thousands of young people to war, this problem has worsened, notes AFP.
To the psychologist to change their minds
The Russian Ministry of Health now recommends that doctors send women who do not want children "for a consultation with a psychologist with the aim of forming a positive attitude towards motherhood," according to a new directive, which the news agency reports was made known on Thursday.
These recommendations were approved at the end of February - but the press only made them public this week.
According to this document, doctors are required to invite women - aged 18 to 49 - for annual medical check-ups for "reproductive health assessment."
These recommendations also provide for similar consultations for men - of the same age group - but only for the assessment of their physical health - without referral to a psychologist.
Russia, threatened by "extinction"
The Kremlin leader presents the decline in the Russian population as a national survival problem. He warned in 2024 that Russia will face "extinction" if it does not increase its birth rate.
The birth rate in Russia is at its lowest level in about 200 years, at around 1.4 children per woman, well below the threshold of 2.1 that demographers consider necessary for population stabilization.
In recent years, Moscow has tightened abortion laws and adopted laws that outlaw "child-free propaganda."
Larger families are glorified in the media and benefit from numerous financial and social advantages provided by the state.