Russia is considering the creation of a “ministry of sex” as part of efforts to address the country’s declining birth rate, according to a report by Mirror. Nina Ostanina, a 68-year-old loyalist of President Vladimir Putin and chairwoman of the Russian Parliament’s Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Maternity, and Childhood, is reviewing a petition calling for the establishment of such a ministry.

This proposal comes as Russian officials implement various measures to combat the demographic decline, worsened by the loss of life due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which is approaching its third year. Moskvich magazine reported that a petition from the GlavPR agency proposed the “ministry of sex,” aiming to lead initiatives designed to boost the birth rate.

Anastasia Rakova, the deputy mayor of Moscow and a known Putin supporter, underscored the urgency of procreation to align with the Kremlin’s objectives. “Everyone in the city knows there is a special test that allows us to determine a woman’s fertility level and her ability to conceive,” Rakova said in an interview with Mirror, urging women to prioritize childbearing.

Proposed Initiatives

– One unconventional suggestion includes turning off the Internet—and even the lights—between 10 pm and 2 am to encourage couples to engage in intimate activities, according to Mirror.

– Another proposal suggests paying stay-at-home mothers for housework, with these earnings contributing to their pension. The government is also considering funding first dates up to 5,000 roubles (£40) to encourage relationship-building.

– There is also a proposal for the state to cover the cost of wedding-night hotel stays for couples, with an allowance of up to 26,300 roubles (£208), to promote pregnancies.

– While it remains unclear who proposed the idea, various regions have introduced their programs aimed at encouraging childbearing. In Khabarovsk, female students aged 18 to 23 can receive £900 for having a child, while in Chelyabinsk, the amount increases to £8,500 for a firstborn.

– Yevgeny Shestopalov, a regional health minister, even suggested that Russians could use their coffee and lunch breaks at work for “procreation,” urging people to make the most of their time as “life flies by too quickly.”

Authorities Involved in Personal Data Collection

Meanwhile, in Moscow, authorities are delving into women’s personal lives in an attempt to boost birth rates. Female public sector workers have been asked to complete detailed questionnaires about their sexual and reproductive health, hinting at a broader plan to collect similar data across the country. Those who refuse to participate are required to attend doctor’s appointments, where the same questions are posed.

The questionnaire contains highly personal queries, such as:

– When did you begin sexual activity?

– Do you use condoms or hormonal birth control?

– Do you experience pain or bleeding during intercourse?

– Have you experienced infertility or had pregnancies? If so, how many?

– Do you have any children, or do you plan to have more within the next year?

Employees in state-run cultural institutions have expressed frustration over being asked to provide such information to HR departments. Some workers submitted blank forms, only to be later instructed to provide their names and attend in-person interviews with state doctors to answer the questions.

Additionally, a free fertility testing program launched in Moscow has already attracted 20,000 women, further highlighting the government’s growing involvement in personal health matters.