Russia is exploring the creation of a ‘ministry of sex’ as part of efforts to combat the nation’s declining birth rate, exacerbated by significant losses due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Nina Ostanina, a loyalist of President Vladimir Putin and chairwoman of the Russian Parliament’s Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Maternity, and Childhood, is reviewing a petition that advocates for the establishment of such a ministry.
Proposals for Boosting Birth Rates
Several proposals are being considered to encourage higher birth rates, including:
- Encouraging Intimacy at Night: One suggestion is to turn off the Internet and even lights between 10 pm and 2 am, encouraging couples to engage in intimate activities.
- Financial Incentives for Stay-at-Home Mothers: Another initiative would see the state paying stay-at-home mothers for housework, with these earnings contributing to their pension calculations.
- Funding for First Dates and Weddings: The government is also considering funding first dates (up to 5,000 roubles, or £40) and offering public funds to cover wedding-night hotel stays (up to 26,300 roubles, or £208) to encourage pregnancies.
- Regional Incentives: Various regions are implementing their own measures, such as offering financial incentives for women to have children. For instance, in Khabarovsk, female students aged 18-23 can receive £900 for having a child, while in Chelyabinsk, the payout for a first-born child is £8,500.
Officials Push for Procreation During Work Hours
Yevgeny Shestopalov, a regional health minister, suggested that Russian workers use their coffee and lunch breaks for procreation. He urged, “You can engage in procreation during breaks because life flies by too quickly.”
State Surveillance into Women’s Personal Lives
Authorities in Moscow are also investigating women’s reproductive health to promote higher birth rates. Female public sector workers have been asked to complete questionnaires about their sexual and reproductive health, with some required to attend doctor’s appointments if they fail to respond. The questionnaire includes deeply personal questions about their sexual activity, use of birth control, and plans for future pregnancies.
Fertility Testing Programs
Additionally, a free fertility testing program in Moscow has already attracted participation from 20,000 women.
