Russia is considering unprecedented measures to control a steadily falling birth rate, one being the creation of a "ministry of sex" to have people start procreating,  as recently reported by the Mirror. Nina Ostanina, 68, who is a die-hard supporter of President Vladimir Putin and committee chair of the Russian Parliament's Committee on Family Protection, is evaluating a petition making the case for such a ministry. This proposal aligns with Kremlin priorities to reverse a demographic decline, compounded by the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

The concept, initiated by a petition of the GlavPR agency and reported by Moskvich magazine, suggests a ministry would be in charge of the birth rate growth within the whole territory of the country.

What unusual initiatives are being suggested?

As part of this push, officials in Russia announced a list of creative and sometimes rather offbeat initiatives to that end. Such as turning off the internet and lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. to help couples strengthen their intimacy with each other.

Another proposal calls for paying the housewife for her domestic work to bring the woman out of the home into society; the wages earned would accrue to her pension benefits. For bringing couples together romantically, too, the state could extend interest-free loans up to 5,000 roubles (£40) to help pay for the first date.

It is further suggested that newlywed couples be allowed to stay at a hotel on their wedding night to encourage them to boost the birth rate. Different regions have come up with some very innovative financial incentives. For instance, the Khabarovsk region offers £900 for female students aged 18-23 years in case they deliver while Chelyabinsk is giving £8,500 as firstborn.

Another true Kremlin loyalist is the deputy mayor, Anastasia Rakova, who placed a focus on procreation and said, “Everyone in the city knows that there is a special test which allows us to establish the fertility level of a woman, her ability to get pregnant,” she explained to the Mirror, urging women to make childbearing a priority.

Encouraging procreation—even at work?

One of the most widely publicized recommendations came from regional health official Yevgeny Shestopalov, who suggested Russians use their coffee and lunch breaks at work as a chance for “procreation.” Stressing the fleeting nature of life, Shestopalov encouraged workers to seize these moments to help support Russia’s future generations.

Authorities investigate women’s personal lives to boost birth rates

As part of its overall policy, Moscow has begun collecting detailed information on women's reproductive health. This process is frustrating for many employees. Female public sector workers, according to reports, have been administered questionnaires about intimate aspects of their personal lives, such as:

Age when they began sexual activities

Methods of birth control

Experience with pain or bleeding during intercourse

History of infertility or being pregnant

Children at present and intention for children in the future

Those who deny filling out these forms are compelled to visit doctors and give their replies in person. Some employees in the very first round submitted white, blank forms. They were compelled to add names and appear for interviews with state doctors to respond.

Till now, the free-of-charge fertility test program, which was launched in Moscow, has attracted 20,000 women participants.

As Russia grapples with its demographic challenges, a "ministry of sex" and related measures reflect an increasingly determined and unconventional approach to reversing its population decline.