Russia to refer women rejecting childbirth to psychologists

Russia has unveiled caller wellness guidelines that urge referring women who explicit nary tendency to person children to psychologists.

The argumentation forms portion of broader reproductive wellness checks introduced by the country’s wellness ministry, nether which aesculapian professionals are expected to inquire women astir their intentions regarding childbirth.

Where a diligent indicates nary involvement successful having children, the guidelines counsel that she beryllium referred to a aesculapian scientist for counselling aimed astatine encouraging a much affirmative outlook toward parenthood.

The measures travel against the backdrop of a prolonged demographic diminution that has been a large interest for President Vladimir Putin passim his much than 2 decades successful power.

The concern has been further compounded by the ongoing struggle successful Ukraine, which has seen ample numbers of young men deployed to the beforehand lines, intensifying colonisation pressures.

Although the recommendations were approved successful precocious February, they lone gained attraction aft being reported by authorities media this week.

The Kremlin has consistently framed the country’s shrinking colonisation arsenic a captious nationalist issue, with Putin informing successful 2024 that Russia could look existential risks if commencement rates are not increased.

Current estimates spot Russia’s fertility complaint astatine astir 1.4 chi...