Russia battles Soviet-era abortion attitudes

Doctors say widespread acceptance of procedure is having drastic effect on nation’s fertility rates.

Russia abortion

Russia has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, a trend that doctors say is having a drastic effect on fertility rates among young women.

Last year, the government introduced a law banning the procedure beyond 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Even so, doctors say the government is still struggling to change Soviet-era attitudes, which considered abortion a common and often preferred choice over contraception.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from St Petersburg.

Source: Al Jazeera