July 25, 2023

A Woman's Choice, or a Vicious Practice?


A Woman's Choice, or a Vicious Practice?
A baby in pink working at a toy laptop. Mahmud Ahsan, Unsplash.

In a recent address to the Russian State Duma, Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health, advocated for a specific approach to educating schoolchildren about family and career priorities. For women, Murashko suggested emphasizing the importance of childbirth before pursuing a career.

“It is necessary to begin explaining [the importance of childbirth] already from the school bench … A completely vicious practice has developed in society: a belief has formed that a woman should get an education, then establish her career, secure a foundation for herself, and only after that, already approaching, so to speak, such a difficult reproductive age, take care of childbearing,” Murashko said.

The minister highlighted concerns related to women's reproductive health. He pointed out that issues such as infertility or the inability to conceive children are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, he noted that various health challenges are arising, affecting women's ability to bear a third or fourth child, thus reducing the optimal timeframe for childbirth.

“The situation should be radically reconsidered, and the message should be completely different,” Murashko said.

The minister emphasized the significance of the age at which a woman gives birth to her first and second child, underscoring its impact on both the child's and the woman's health. He pointed out that early childbirth plays a vital role in preventing gynecological diseases. Moreover, according to Murashko, timely family planning is crucial, as it helps women avoid potential career disruptions to their professional pursuits.

Murashko has also recently publicly advocated for “strict control” of abortion drugs, which the Ministry of Health has already initiated.

You Might Also Like

Violence Comes Home, Too
  • April 22, 2023

Violence Comes Home, Too

A man from Nizhny Novgorod fought in Ukraine. When he returned to Russia, he killed his wife.
Life Impacts Art
  • August 07, 2022

Life Impacts Art

Two female Russian artists discuss how their life and work has been impacted by Russia's Ukraine War.
Child-full?
  • September 16, 2022

Child-full?

The State Duma is considering a bill to outlaw "child-free" ideology.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
  • February 25, 2022

Where the Sidewalk Ends

One Saratov blogger took to the streets demanding change... with a stroller.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955