Traditional Christian values and women's reproductive rights in modern Russia--is a consensus ever possible?

Abstract

Recently in Russia, abortion rights have been attacked. For decades, Russian women could have an elective abortion up to week 12 of pregnancy; between 12 and 22 weeks, medical or social grounds were required for an abortion. In mid 2011, a group of Parliamentarians teamed up with Russian Orthodox Church activists and announced their desire to ban abortions, and the new version of the health law with restricting amendments was introduced: a mandatory waiting period, physicians' conscientious objection, and limiting the social indications for late-term abortion. Evidence indicates that restricting legislative changes based on "traditional" values could significantly limit women's reproductive choices (e.g., access to abortion), a setback to women's rights to exert control over their bodies and their lives.