Russia's health ministry advises doctors to refer women who express a desire not to have children to psychologists in a bid to foster a positive attitude towards motherhood as part of efforts to mitigate a demographic crisis.
In an effort to address the declining birth rate in Russia, the country's health ministry has proposed that medical professionals refer women who indicate they do not wish to have children to psychologists. This recommendation, highlighted by the state agency TASS, aims to cultivate a more favorable view of motherhood among these women. The new guidelines reflect growing concerns about Russia's demographic crisis, which has been exacerbated by the country's military actions in Ukraine and the subsequent mobilization of young men into the armed forces.
The initiative comes amid alarming statistics regarding childbirth rates in Russia, prompting President Vladimir Putin's administration to take action. Reports indicate that a significant number of young men have been sent to fight in Ukraine over the past four years, which has contributed to the drop in the birth rate. The health ministry's guidelines state that if a woman answers "zero" regarding her desire to have children on a medical questionnaire, she should be referred for consultation with a clinical psychologist in order to adopt a more positive outlook toward childbearing. However, officials noted that these recommendations are not mandatory but rather suggestive.
