Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passeda controversial bill outlawing so-called childfree propaganda, as authorities ramp up efforts to both increase birth rates and promotetraditional values among families.Deputies inRussiaslower-house State Duma voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which prohibits the public dissemination of materials, including films and media, that appear to promote rejecting childbearing.Without children, there will be no country, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, a member of the ruling United Russia party, told deputies ahead of the vote.As Russia faces an aging population, low birth rates and rising mortality due to the war in Ukraine, authorities are pushing for more measures to combat a demographic decline that threatens economic growth.
At the same time, authorities have intensifiedefforts to promote traditional values and family-centric ideals.The new legislation imposes fines of up to 400,000 rubles ($4,129) for individuals and up to 5 million rubles ($51,611) for organizations found guilty of spreading childfree propaganda across online platforms, media, films and advertisements.An exemption secured by Russias Orthodox Church permits information on monasticism and the vow of celibacy, and the bill does not penalize individuals for personal decisions about childbearing.Critics argue that the childfree propaganda ban fails to address the root issues behind the countrys flagging birth rates.
Legal experts also warn that the vague language in the bill could lead to abuses and restrictions on educating teenagers about contraception and reproductive health.The childfree propaganda bill now awaits approval from the upper house of parliament on Nov.
20 before it is sent to President Vladimir Putin for signing into law.The legislation amends existing restrictions on content deemed to promote LGBTQ+ relationships or gender transition.Meanwhile, lawmakers in the State Duma passed a separate bill Tuesday prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by residents of countries where gender reassignment is legally permitted.