Russian health minister says women should give birth as early as possible rather than pursuing careers

At a plenary meeting of Russia’s State Duma on Tuesday, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said that women should give birth as early in life as possible rather than pursuing their education and building careers.

“A belief has developed that a woman should first get an education and build a career and that only after that should she think about having children. Then a lot of problems arise,” Murashko said. “A woman should understand that the earlier she gives birth, the better.”

According to the minister, this “responsibility” should be explained to girls “in their school days” and should be promoted on Russia’s online government services portal. He said that postponing childbirth is a “depraved practice” that causes infertility and miscarriages.

Earlier this week, Murashko called for over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives to be restricted in Russia by the end of this year.