Russia's Abortion Debate: From Bans to Warning Messages
Russia's conservative turn has led to a questioning of the long-held right for women to have abortions, with a number of regions rushing to restrict abortions in private clinics. The Russian Orthodox church has demanded these restrictions, and health officials are discouraging women from terminating pregnancies in state clinics. The government claims these measures aim to improve Russia's demographics, but activists see it as part of a wider crackdown. While President Putin has stated he is against banning abortion, he wants women to "safeguard the life of the child" to resolve the demographic problem. Critics argue that restricting abortions does not increase birth rates and puts women at risk.