On Tuesday, Russian lawmakers approved a highly contentious bill that aims to ban “propaganda” promoting childlessness, in a move that reflects Moscow’s growing resistance to Western liberal ideologies. The legislation, which garnered unanimous support from the lawmakers, prohibits any public content—including films, media, and social posts—that encourages the rejection of childbearing.
The bill, which critics argue is part of Russia’s broader effort to control social narratives, now requires approval from the Federation Council, the upper chamber of Russia’s parliament. It must also receive President Vladimir Putin’s signature before it can become law.
This move is part of a larger cultural shift in Russia, where the government has increasingly positioned itself against what it views as the encroachment of Western values on Russian society. If enacted, the law could have wide-reaching implications for the media and entertainment industries in the country.
