On Tuesday, November 12, Russia's State Duma passed a law banning the “propaganda” of the “childfree” lifestyle—encouraging individuals to choose not to have children, according to Ukrinform.
The law was passed in both its second and third readings and now awaits formal signing.
The new law amends Russia's Code of Administrative Offenses to impose substantial fines for “childfree propaganda.”
Individuals found promoting this lifestyle could face fines up to 400,000 rubles, officials up to 800,000 rubles, and organizations up to five million rubles.
The legislation adds to a series of existing laws that ban the “propaganda” of topics including pedophilia, LGBTQ+ identities, and gender reassignment.
In drafting the law, legislators clarified that it would not criminalize information about monastic celibacy among religious orders, addressing questions raised by the Russian Orthodox Church on the status of nuns’ vows of celibacy.
The bill was introduced by a group of prominent deputies and senators, including State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Federation Council Chairman Valentina Matvienko.
Volodin emphasized that the legislation aims to create a unified legal framework for “protecting children, family, and traditional values.”
This move aligns with similar laws that Russia has enacted against LGBTQ+ “propaganda.”
In November 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court classified the now-defunct “international LGBT social movement” as an extremist organization, prompting crackdowns on LGBTQ+ establishments and individuals displaying LGBTQ+ symbols, such as rainbow-colored accessories.
The law against “childfree propaganda” follows the Duma’s recent rejection of a proposal to delay military mobilization for parents with multiple children, underscoring the government’s emphasis on traditional family roles and responsibilities.
