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

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

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.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, 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