A law banning advertisements promoting abortion has been signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Virginia based Population Research Institute (PRI) has reported that some members of the Russian State assembly are also considering whether to ban the procedure altogether.
“This is an amazing turnabout in a country which has long been known for its tragically high abortion rate,” said President of the PRI, Steven W. Mosher.
According to UN statistics published for 2004, Russia had the highest abortion rate in the world and until recently, the average Russian woman could expect to have seven terminations in her lifetime.
First country
Abortion was legalised in Russia in 1920, making it the first country in the world to permit abortions in all circumstances up to birth.
The upper limit for abortion was reduced by the Russian Parliament to 12 weeks in 2011, though terminations for rape can be still performed up to 22 weeks and up to birth for medical necessities.
In 2003, the New York Times acknowledged the adverse impact of Russia’s abortion laws on the health and well-being of women, saying:
“Now the Russian government is attempting to slow the abortion rate. It is an admirable goal, given the toll that multiple abortions have taken on the health and fertility of Russia's women.”
In 2011, legislation was passed requiring abortion advertisements to provide a clear warning that “abortion is hazardous to a woman’s health.” All advertisements for abortion now been banned under new laws passed last month.
“Less common”
“While there are still, according to the Russian Health Ministry, 1.7 abortions for every live birth in the country, that ratio is shrinking as the birth rate climbs and abortion becomes gradually less common,” said Mr Mosher.
“As a result of the adoption of enlightened policies to protect the sanctity of human life, Russia's population decline has been virtually halted, and the country has been put on a more stable demographic course.
“Russia’s demographic winter is not yet over, but there are signs of a spring thaw.”
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