Russian President Vladimir Putin is offering financial incentives to women to have ten or more children in order to address the country's demographic crisis. This situation is said to be a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Russian demographics have hit the lowest since 2002.
Expert Opinion:
Experts describe this initiative offered by Russian president Vladimir Putin as a desperate attempt as it includes a one-time payment of 1 million rubles (around Rs 13 lakh or $16,000).
Dr Jenny Mathers, Russian politics and security expert, spoke with Times Radio broadcaster Henry Bonsu about Putin's new "Mother Heroine" reward scheme, which he announced as a measure to replenish a shrinking population.
According to Dr Mathers, Putin has been saying that people who have larger families are “more patriotic” and will feel more connected to “Mother Russia”.
“It is pretty desperate. I mean, Russia has had difficulties with demographics, trying to get enough people to populate the country really since the 1990s off and on," Dr Mathers added.
Mother Heroine Reward Scheme:
Women who have 10 children or more in Russia will be paid 1 million rubles, a Soviet-era award brought back by President Vladimir Putin. The award includes the title of 'Mother Heroine,' as well as gold medals with the Russian flag and coat of arms.
Under President Putin's new scheme, women will get a one-off payment of one million rubles after their 10th child has reached its first birthday, on the condition that the other nine children are still alive.
After the deaths of tens of millions of Russian citizens during World War II, Joseph Stalin created the title "Mother Heroine" in 1944 to encourage large families. It was abandoned after the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991. Previously, over 400,000 women had received the award.