By BY-BKA 
In a surprising move, Russia is exploring the idea of creating a “Ministry of Sex” to combat its declining birth rate, sparking widespread discussion online. This initiative, proposed by GlavPR, is under review by Nina Ostanina, a prominent ally of President Vladimir Putin and head of the Russian Parliament’s Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Maternity, and Childhood.
With the ongoing Ukraine conflict contributing to a severe demographic decline, Russian officials are under increasing pressure to find solutions. To encourage population growth, they’ve proposed unique measures – from government-sponsored first dates to internet blackouts aimed at promoting intimacy.
Some notable suggestions include:
Internet and Power Shutdowns: Authorities are considering turning off internet and electricity from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to encourage couples to spend more time together.
Government-Funded First Dates: New couples could receive up to 5,000 rubles (£40) to support their first outings.
Paid Housework: Stay-at-home mothers might be compensated for housework, with these earnings contributing to their pensions.
Wedding Night Hotel Stays: Newlyweds could have hotel expenses covered up to 26,300 rubles (£208) to encourage family planning.
Various regions are already implementing localized pro-natalist policies. For instance, young women in Khabarovsk receive incentives of around £900 for having children, while women in Chelyabinsk can receive up to £8,500 for their first child. Some officials have even encouraged workers to consider coffee and lunch breaks as potential times to “procreate,” stressing that life is fleeting.
In Moscow, efforts have taken a personal approach, with female public sector employees asked to complete questionnaires on their sexual and reproductive health.
These unconventional strategies have gone viral, fueling global debate and a wave of online memes. Many are watching closely to see if Russia’s bold approach will yield the intended results.