Russia's \$1760 Baby Bonus Sparks "Handmaid's Tale" Comparisons Amid Population Crisis

Russia's declining birth rate has prompted the government to offer financial bonuses of up to $1760 to young women with over 12 weeks of pregnancy, including minors. This measure, raising concerns similar to "The Handmaid's Tale", comes amid economic crisis, war, and migration issues. The UN warns of a potential 50% population drop by 2100. The policy, while aiming to boost the birth rate, has raised significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the well-being of teenage mothers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescent mothers face a substantially higher risk of complications and mortality during childbirth. In 2023, 9000 babies were born to mothers aged 12-17 in Russia, and approximately 40% of pregnancies in this age group ended in abortion. The presenter states that "This measure is alarming, not only because of its potential impact on the population, but also because of the risks it poses to the health and well-being of young mothers."