The country’s demographic security strategy was discussed at the Public Chamber

Yesterday, the Public Chamber (PC) of the Russian Federation discussed the country’s demographic security strategy as part of the implementation of the relevant decree of President Vladimir Putin, which approved the state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. Low birth rates and an increase in abortions forced those gathered to look for creative solutions. In particular, a proposal was made to vest general powers to solve the demographic problem on the Security Council of the Russian Federation. And Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy (ER) promised that already in the spring the parliament could pass a bill banning abortions in private clinics.

Public hearings were held in the RF OP on the development of a demographic security strategy in the light of last year’s presidential decree No. 809 “On approval of the Fundamentals of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values.” Members of regional public chambers, State Duma deputies, representatives of the Russian Presidential Administration and federal executive authorities, as well as non-profit organizations discussed how to resolve the demographic catastrophe and stimulate the birth rate.

“Over six years, the total fertility rate decreased from 1.76 to 1.41. In 2021, 700 thousand Russian women were diagnosed with infertility, in 2011 – 200 thousand. The situation is catastrophic,” Pavel Pozhigailo, First Deputy Chairman of the OP Commission on Demography, Family and Children, set the tone and topic of the discussion, opening the event.

“The fact that there is a demographic problem is no secret to anyone,” confirmed State Duma Deputy Speaker Anna Kuznetsova (ER). “The implementation of the national program “Demography” does not solve the problem of population decline and does not increase the birth rate. The number of births over the past year decreased by 7%. As for abortions, formally the numbers are declining.” Noting with satisfaction the reduction in the number of abortions in state clinics, the deputy noted that “the number of abortions in private clinics is growing.” The main problem of low birth rate, Ms. Kuznetsova believes, is not related to the standard of living of the population: “In the post-war years, the birth rate in the country was 5.4. And this is in a destroyed country.”

Director of the Russian Research Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage named after. D.S. Likhachev Vladimir Aristarkhov pointed out in this regard that the emphasis in solving the demographic problem was placed on the relevant presidential decree. However, he noted with regret, there is still no plan for the implementation of the document by departments. “There is also no body that would take responsibility for the implementation of demographic policy,” Mr. Aristarkhov was perplexed. “It seems to me that these powers could be vested in the Security Council of the Russian Federation.”

Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy admitted that there are currently no specific criteria for implementing the presidential decree. “They don’t exist for one simple reason: there is no ideology in Russia,” the parliamentarian explained. At the same time, State Duma deputies, according to Mr. Tolstoy, continue to develop initiatives to reduce the legal space for abortions: “We will seek a legislative decision to remove abortions from private clinics. We will try to pass (the corresponding bill) in the spring.— “Kommersant”)”. Let us recall that in January 2023, a similar proposal was expressed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, and later the initiative was supported by Pyotr Tolstoy and Anna Kuznetsova. “There are lies about statistics everywhere. The Ministry of Health operates with numbers that don’t mean anything. Their (abortions.— “Kommersant”) not 400 thousand. There are maybe 700 thousand, but they are done in commercial clinics that do not provide reports,” the deputy was indignant.

“The topic of the ban should not be scary. China was not at all afraid of restrictions and two years ago abolished abortions at will, understanding what this would lead to,” supported the chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family Issues, Protection of Motherhood and Childhood, Priest Fyodor Lukyanov. “The number of violations in private clinics is off the charts.” They can’t stand any week of silence.”

First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Family, Women and Children Tatyana Butskaya (United Russia) unexpectedly called for “stop tightening the screws” and “intimidating” a pregnant woman. “She is in a state of reproductive choice not because she is bad, not because she wants to have this abortion,” explained Mrs. Butskaya. “She understands that she is taking a terrible step, but this is the circumstances in her life. We have a week of silence, we have to focus on how everything works inside. Let’s stop banning and scaring, let’s help. Does every antenatal clinic have a psychologist? We are now prohibiting and restricting, but is there help everywhere?”

Those present discussed the need to support large families. “The only category that has not reduced the birth rate is large families. A large family needs to be stimulated. It is necessary to introduce a federal benefit for each child, as it was,” suggested the head of the regional public organization “Association of Large Families of the City of Moscow” Natalya Karpovich. “I have six children of my own and one adopted. I don’t understand why I don’t get anything for my children, but I get nothing for my adopted child. And at the same time, unfortunately, just as 700 thousand children were orphans, they remain orphans – this problem is not being solved. We say that we have closed international adoption, but what is happening within the country?”

Emilia Gabdullina