Putin forms council for demographic and family policy

The new body aims to increase Russia’s birth rate and improve conditions for families with children, according to an official document

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set up a council to deal with demographic and family-related policies. The document announcing its formation was published on Monday on Russia’s official portal of legal information.

The new body will work to develop policies within the framework of the ‘Decade of Childhood in Russia,’ which was declared by the president in 2017. Putin nominated Federation Council chairwoman Valentina Matvienko to head the new council.

Last month, under Putin’s directive, the Russian government drafted a strategy of action aimed at boosting birth rates and supporting families.

Among the listed goals are “protecting, supporting, and defending the family as the fundamental basis of Russian society,” and “strengthening the institution of family and marriage as a union between a man and a woman based on the preservation and promotion of traditional family values.” 

Under the plans, the authorities plan to improve the rules for providing maternity capital, increase the efficiency of alimony payments, introduce awards for grandparents, and other measures.

The Kremlin has made a priority of addressing the country’s demographic challenges, such as a declining population and low birth rates.

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Last month, Putin also signed a new law banning the promotion of “childfree propaganda.” The measure targets the spread of childfree ideology through media, films, advertising, and the internet, and aims to prevent the dissemination of materials that encourage rejecting parenthood.

The legislation imposes fines on those found guilty of promoting the concept. Individuals could face penalties ranging from 50,000 ($500) to 100,000 rubles, while officials could be fined between 100,000 and 200,000 rubles, and legal entities will face even steeper costs.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described the demographic decline as a “huge challenge” for the nation, stressing the importance of having a long-term vision on the issue. By fostering population growth and forward-thinking development, he said, “we will have a super-strong country.”