Russian lawmakers, worried about a shrinking birth rate, passed a law last week that abortion advertisements must carry a health warning.
Russian
lawmakers, worried about a shrinking birth rate, passed a law last week that
abortion advertisements must carry a health warning. Russia
has one of the world’s highest abortion rates and cutting this could help to
stem a demographic catastrophe that looms as its population shrinks. Under the
new law approved by the lower house of parliament, 10% of the space used in
abortion ads must carry a list of possible negative consequences for women,
including infertility.

Reuters
reports that 2007 saw 1.5 million abortions – almost equalling the number of
children born that year. “These ads make young girls believe they won’t have
any problems interrupting a pregnancy,” RIA news agency quoted parliamentarian
Viktor Zvagelsky as saying. He said the law was drawn up as “the situation with
abortions in Russia was depressing.”

The
UN predicts that by 2050 Russia’s population will have shrunk by almost a fifth
from today to 116 million. Health experts say key factors in the decline are
heavy drinking by men, poor diet leading to heart disease, an HIV/AIDS epidemic
spurred by heroin abuse and a high number of violent deaths. The bill is
predicted to pass the upper house and be signed into law by President Dmitry
Medvedev without a problem. ~ Reuters, Jul 1

Russia says abortion ads must contain health warning
Jared Yee
abortion
Russia

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