Moscow, September 24, 2024 – The Europe Today: The Russian government has given its backing “in principle” to proposed legislation aimed at outlawing propaganda that promotes the idea of not having children. The draft bill, set to be introduced to the State Duma on Tuesday, envisions penalties for spreading “child-free ideology” via media, movies, advertising, and the internet.
The bill defines this ideology as the “refusal to have children” and proposes administrative fines for those found promoting it. However, the government has urged lawmakers to refine the definition to ensure it doesn’t target individuals who refrain from having children due to religious beliefs, medical conditions, or in cases of rape.
Elvira Aitkulova, a senior MP and co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized that the legislation targets propaganda promoting childlessness rather than personal lifestyle choices. “The bill concerns propaganda… especially aimed at minors,” Aitkulova told RIA Novosti.
Valentina Matvienko, speaker of the Federation Council, has also voiced her support, linking the child-free movement to what she described as “degenerated and radicalized” modern feminism. She argued that such movements undermine traditional values and should be banned in Russia.
