" Female body is not a breeding ground "
Breaking News: St. Petersburg Decides: A Controversial Approach to Pregnancy Termination
A fresh debate has ignited in St. Petersburg, as lawmakers set their sights on a proposed law imposing fines for individuals and entities encouraging artificial pregnancy termination. This bill, currently in its initial phase, has raised eyebrows – and concerns – over its potential impact on women's rights and medical practices.
The drafters of the bill, Konstantin Chebykin, Anton Solovyov, and Allsevolod Belikov, propose fines ranging from 3,000 to 50,000 rubles, depending on whether the offender is a citizen, official, or legal entity. The offenses they aim to combat include persuasion, offers, bribery, and deception – even if the result doesn't lead to an abortion.
However, some lawmakers express reservations. Deputy Natalia Astakhova warns that the bill could discourage doctors from making necessary medical recommendations, while Deputy Olga Shatnikova accuses the bill of violating privacy rights and the right to personal and family secrecy under the Russian Federation Constitution.
Deputy Allesevolod Belikov, in response to concerns about the bill's gender bias, insists that his team considered a focus group of 25 individuals to ensure empathy in the bill drafting process. Yet, he acknowledges that the bill may still need considerable alterations based on the opinions of fellow deputies.
Meanwhile, the number of abortions in St. Petersburg surpasses the national average, with less than a quarter of all procedures covered under the Compulsory Medical Insurance policy. This figure fuels concerns that certain individuals, particularly close relatives, may exert undue influence on pregnant women, according to Belikov's small-scale survey of 75 women.
In a broader context, the ensuing legal and moral battleground regarding abortion rights mirrors debates in the United States, particularly in Florida. Florida lawmakers, among them, have proposed six-week abortion bans, with efforts to expand exceptions for medical emergencies facing resistance from GOP leaders. Meanwhile, women's rights activists caution that restrictive bills could severely impact reproductive health services' availability.
Amid these discussions, we await the second reading of the proposed bill in St. Petersburg, with the deputies given a week to propose amendments and revise the contentious legislation. As the future of reproductive rights hangs in the balance, the stakes have never been higher – or more uncertain.
Stay tuned for updates on RBC St. Petersburg's Telegram channel.
- The proposed law in St. Petersburg aims to impose fines on individuals and entities encouraging artificial pregnancy termination, which has raised concerns over its potential impact on women's rights and medical practices.
- Anton Solovyov, one of the drafters of the bill, proposes fines for offenses such as persuasion, offers, bribery, and deception, even if these actions don't lead to an abortion.
- Deputy Olga Shatnikova accused the bill of violating privacy rights and the right to personal and family secrecy under the Russian Federation Constitution.
- The ensuing debate over abortion rights in St. Petersburg mirrors the ongoing disputes in the United States, particularly in Florida, where lawmakers have proposed six-week abortion bans with significant pushback from women's rights activists.
