Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly urged citizens to have sex during work breaks to combat the country’s declining population.
With Russia facing a demographic crisis, compounded by the ongoing war with Ukraine and a historically low birth rate of 1.5 children per woman, the Government is pushing for solutions to reverse the trend.
According to Metro, Putin emphasised the importance of addressing the population decline, stating: “The preservation of the Russian people is our highest national priority”
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A Russian health official, Yevgeny Shestopalov, echoed Putin’s urgency, dismissing work commitments as a valid reason for not procreating.
“Being very busy at work is not a valid reason, but a lame excuse,” he said, suggesting that couples should use breaks for intimate time.
When asked how citizens working 12-hour shifts would find time for sex, the official responded: “During break times”.
He added: “Because life flies by too quickly.”
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Russia recorded its lowest birth rate in the first half of the year since 1999.
Its natural decline of population accelerated this year, with 325,100 deaths recorded between January and June, or 49,000 more than in the corresponding period of last year.
The so-called “sex-at-work” initiative was launched as part of a broader strategy to address this issue.
Ms Nina Ostanina, a Communist Party deputy, likened the demographic crisis to the country’s military efforts, saying that a “special demographic operation” is needed to improve the birth rate.
“We must organise ourselves and conduct another special operation,” she said. “Just like a special military operation — a special demographic operation.”
Russia’s demographic concerns have also led to restrictions on abortion. According to BBC, new measures include making it illegal to persuade women to have abortions and pressuring private clinics to stop performing the procedure.
Doctors are now encouraged to dissuade women, telling girls younger than 18 that young parents bond better with their children as they are “practically from the same generation”.
Single pregnant women are also reassured that having a child isn’t an obstacle to finding a partner.
Incentives have also been introduced for women who give birth, including financial rewards of up to 524,500 roubles (~S$7,300).
Also read: Man in M’sia says he doesn’t want ‘damaged wife’ after she gives birth via C-section
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Featured image adapted from Wikimedia Commons and Nadzeya Haroshka on Canva.
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