Putin Signs Law Banning Abortion Advertisements
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure banning advertisements for abortion.
The measure was passed earlier in November by lawmakers in the State Duma and Federation Council.
Women’s rights activists say the measure infringes on women’s reproductive rights.
Since the 1991 Soviet Union collapse, Russia’s abortion rate has declined due to an increase in the availability of contraception and a rise in religious observance.
But the country’s rate of pregnancy termination remains among the highest in the world.
Putin has sought during his 14 years in power to reverse Russia’s post-Soviet population decline and has backed conservative social values in line with the Russian Orthodox Church.
The government has funded advertising campaigns and offered financial incentives to motivate couples to have multiple children.
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