Russia: Patriarch and others seek restrictions on abortions
Patriarch Kirill believes women are emotionally unstable and should be banned from having abortions without their husband’s consent
29.01.2026
Article published on the Moscow Times website
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has proposed a legal ban on married women having abortions without their husbands’ consent.
During a speech at a recent meeting of the Russian Federation Council, Kirill argued that “a woman is more volatile and emotionally vulnerable”, which may cause them “to act impulsively”.
“A woman may be in a state of emotional distress…That is why it is important to have her husband by her side who can say: listen, we can get through this, we’ll earn money. So it is vital that his voice should be heard in discussions on whether or not to go ahead with the procedure”.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) also proposed the development of a federal law criminalising any attempt to persuade a woman to have an abortion. Furthermore, he advocated a complete ban on abortions in private medical centres where, in his opinion, it is “virtually impossible” to ensure general compliance with the rules.
Members of the ROC have already started filing complaints with the Prosecutor General’s Office against private clinics, which, in their view, are violating regulations when performing abortions. From February 2023 to October 2025, the number of such institutions in Russia fell by 26% – from 2,813 to 2,088, according to the ROC.
Russian authorities are discussing restrictions on abortion services amid a decline in the national birth rate, which is at its lowest level since the 1990s. Fourteen regions have already introduced fines for “inciting abortions”, with several others drawing up similar regulations. The ROC has already proposed amendments to the Russian Constitution for a complete ban on abortions in the country.
