Russian govt backs legislation to tackle child-free ideology

The Russian government on Monday backed “in principle” proposed legislation to outlaw propaganda that validates not having children, and to introduce administrative fines for its dissemination.

The legislation envisions restrictions on spreading “child-free ideology” through media, movies, advertising, and the internet. The draft bill defines it as the “refusal to have children” and provides for fines on those who promote such ideas.

While the government expressed support for the initiative “in principle,” it urged Russian legislators to further refine the bill. Specifically, it stated that the definition of the ideology as the “refusal to have children” must be clarified to ensure it doesn’t affect individuals whose “refusal” is motivated by religious beliefs or medical conditions. Victims of rape must be protected as well, the government stressed.

The legislation is expected to be introduced on Tuesday in the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, the State Duma. One of the bill’s sponsors, senior MP and member of the Duma’s education committee, Elvira Aitkulova, explained that the bill is designed to tackle the dissemination of child-free propaganda only, rather than personal lifestyle choices.

“The bill concerns propaganda – the targeted dissemination of information to promote a lifestyle without family and children,” Aitkulova told RIA Novosti.

“It is not about the right of everyone to choose in such personal matters, but about the effort to convince others, especially minors, of the superiority of a childless lifestyle,” she added.

Last week, the initiative was backed by Valentina Matvienko, the speaker of the upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council. Speaking to the newspaper Izvestia, Matvienko criticized modern feminism, stating it has ultimately turned into a “struggle against men” and “traditional values.” The “child-free movement” has become one example of such “degenerated and radicalized” behavior, the senior senator said, adding that it should be banned in Russia altogether.

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