Overview

• The Orjol region in western Russia now provides a 100,000-ruble pregnancy allowance to schoolgirls, extending a previous policy for students.
• This initiative aligns with a federal directive encouraging regional governments to implement measures to boost birth rates.
• Governor Andrey Klytschkow clarified that the policy follows Moscow's recommendations, with similar programs active in over 40 Russian regions.
• Russia faces a declining population, with a fertility rate of 1.4 children per woman, prompting nationwide efforts to promote early motherhood.
• Critics point to the policy's implications for women's rights, as officials emphasize prioritizing childbirth over education and careers.