By The newspaper
01 Dec 2023, 00:41 AM EST
Lawmakers in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region have set the stage for a potential seismic shift in the country’s approach to abortion.
According to The Moscow Times, the regional legislative assembly approved a draft amendment that could include a ban on abortion services in private clinics throughout the country.
Naturally, the decision, which came without prior discussion, has sparked debates about reproductive rights and women’s health.
The amendment bill, a modification of the Russian federal law “On the fundamentals of preserving the health of citizens,” gained unanimous support in the Nizhny Novgorod assembly; Lawmakers now plan to take the matter to the State Duma in Moscow, where its fate will be determined on a national level.
Abortion: A challenge for private clinics
If enacted, the amendment would strip private clinics across the country of their authority to offer abortion services. For his part, the regional governor, Gleb Nikitin, the promoter of the proposal, maintains that private clinics lack the necessary mental health and social support services, crucial for women undergoing abortions.
The general objective, according to Nikitin, is “to improve the demographic situation [de Rusia] and reduce the number of complications that arise during and after artificial termination of pregnancy.”
However, this measure has not been met with opposition. Thousands of residents in the Nizhny Novgorod region have actively protested both against the regional bill prohibiting the “coercion” of women to have abortions and against the amendment bill at the federal level.
Critics, according to The Moscow Times, argue that these legislative measures interfere with women’s reproductive rights and autonomy.
Impact beyond Nizhny Novgorod
This regional initiative coincides with similar actions in several Russian regions and in annexed Crimea, where private clinics have allegedly “voluntarily” suspended abortion services. The potential nationwide ban raises questions about the broader implications for women’s access to reproductive health care across the country.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the draft amendment, abortions would continue to be accessible in state medical institutions. This attempt to move the provision of abortion services from private to public institutions is framed as an effort to ensure standardized mental health and social support.
Simultaneously, Nizhny Novgorod lawmakers passed a regional bill banning the “coercion” of women into abortions, aligning with a growing trend in several regions. This legislative stance, however, continues to face resistance from those who consider it intrusive and restrictive.
As the amendment bill moves onto the national stage, the debate over reproductive rights and legislative interventions will likely intensify, attracting attention not only within Russia but also from international observers concerned about the implications of a policy shift. so significant.
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