While preparing the interpreter for the RFPA workshop, Ellen told her that there would not be many technical terms used. Currently, the Russian death rate is higher than the birth rate. Life expectancy for Russians has decreased simultaneously with the decreasing birth rate. As these groups compete for limited resources in an increasingly difficult economic climate, nationalist politicians may be swayed by arguments that limiting access to family planning and contraception will ensure a Russian majority population. Historically in Russia, legalizing and criminalizing abortion has been used as a political tool to respond to rising and falling birth rates.
Russian women are complacent about an issue they feel disempowered to address.
The opposition to family planning and sex education as a threat from the West is alarming and deserves attention. Under the Communist regime, information and education about sexuality and reproductive health were banned. For 70 years, Russians have had no access to information or counseling about their sexuality and reproductive health. As a result, most parents and teachers are very reluctant to talk to their children and students about sex. When they do, they are often misinformed with outdated information about contraception.