Russia restricts abortion

By Susan Yoshihara, Ph.D. | July 18, 2011

The New York Times reports that Russian president Medvedev has just signed into law the first restrictions on abortion since the end of communism.

Around the same time communism collapsed some two decades ago Russia’s population began to decline. Along with an aging population and a health crisis, Russian leaders view abortion, which was made pervasive during communist times, a major contributor the demographic challenges to their economy and national security.

One important aspect of the law is that it runs directly counter to the UN’s position that abortion is good for maternal health. According to the Times, the law makes it illegal to describe abortion as “safe” and 10 percent of abortionists’ advertising must describe the dangers of abortion to women’s health.

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