The Battle for Reproductive Rights in Russia: Child-Free Ideology Under Attack

Daria*, a 40-year-old woman from Yekaterinburg in Russia, was once on the path to undergo IVF treatment when she realized she did not have the desire to have children. Growing up in a society that imposed traditional family values on women, she has since become a vocal advocate for the right to choose whether or not to have children.

However, her advocacy is now under threat as Russia’s parliament considers a law to ban so-called child-free ideology, with fines of up to 400,000 rubles for individuals and 5 million rubles for companies. This crackdown on reproductive freedoms is part of a wider assault on women’s rights in Russia, with restrictions on emergency contraception and abortion further limiting choices for women.

This legislation comes in the face of Russia’s demographic crisis, with a declining birth rate and rising mortality rates. President Vladimir Putin has made improving the birth rate a priority, but experts argue that financial support for families, not restrictions, is the key to increasing the birth rate.

As activists like Daria face threats of censorship and the closure of safe spaces for discussing child-free choices, the battle for reproductive rights in Russia continues to unfold.

*name changed to protect her identity.

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