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

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

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. 

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.

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

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.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

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.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

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.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

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