July 1, 2025
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Abortion Prohibition in Ukraine: Analysis of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council Initiative

In recent days, the topic of a potential prohibition of abortion has been actively discussed in Ukraine – which, under national law, are completely legal. At least that is how many domestic media provided information. However, in reality, the situation is somewhat different. A few days ago, deputies of the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council sent a collective appeal to the state leadership, namely to the President, the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers.”, – WRITE ON: ua.news

In recent days, the topic of a potential prohibition of abortion has been actively discussed in Ukraine – which, under national law, are completely legal. At least that is how many domestic media provided information. However, in reality, the situation is somewhat different.

A few days ago, Ivano-Frankivsk City Council deputies sent collective appeal to the leadership of the state, namely to the President, the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers. Local people’s deputies pointed to very serious Problems with demography Both fertility, and offered their own methods of response to these challenges. And if it is impossible to argue with the first, that is, with demographic problems, then the methods of solution proposed by politicians have nothing to do with the situation and are more frankly harmful.

And it is still to say the least. It is not only a prohibition of abortion, but also a number of other initiatives, almost every claim for its adequacy and usefulness.

So how exactly do Ivano-Frankivsk propose to save the Ukrainian people from extinction? Can there really ban abortions in Ukraine? Do we need to do this and whether we have this problem at all? UA.news political observer Nikita Trachuk Was understood the situation.

“Save Nation Gene): What is offered in Ivano-Frankivsk

The city council sent an official appeal to Kyiv “to protect the life and support of the Institute of Family” in Ukraine. Local deputies point to “responsibility to God, past, tested and future generations.” They point out that the demographic situation in the country borders with collapse and urgently need to do something to preserve the Ukrainian people.

It is difficult to argue with this statement. The problem with The lowest In the world of birth, it is a real cross in the future of Ukraine. Huge mortality, mass migration abroad, etc. are also mentioned. Taking into account all of the above, the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council considers the necessary “cardinal actions”.

Perhaps the deputies offered their own considerations or models as soon as possible the end of the war? It is because of the war and the general crisis in the country that millions of people flee abroad, and those who remain, consciously refuse to birth, knowing that the latter simply have nothing to keep. And this is not to mention the permanent threat to life and health due to regular shelling, the forced mobilization of men on the streets, etc.

However, there is nothing about Ivano-Frankivsk’s City Council and does not propose to solve these problems. Instead, other ideas are put forward.

Firstly, The Ministry of Family must be restored. This is the first point of the local people’s deputy plan. That is, politicians propose to create another center of officials with huge salaries, bloated staff and absolutely zero efficiency. The 33 years of existence of an independent Ukraine are well confirmed: if bureaucrats (ministries, committees, working groups, special commissions, etc.) begin to create one or another problem – this means that it will never be resolved.

Second, It is proposed to introduce in the educational programs “Preparation for the creation of strong families”. Also a frankly strange initiative. In schools already Introduced Compulsory military training, and it is also offered to add family courses … The question arises: when children and young people will generally study directly by scientific disciplines? And how effective will such programs be, given the fact that in Ukraine every second marriage ends in divorce and every fifth child grows in a single family?

Thirdly, Deputies propose to create conditions for motivation of families to become large – especially in the information, social and economic environment. And this is probably the only useful point of the plan that can only be supported.

In particular, the city council considers it necessary to pay 100 thousand hryvnias for the first child, 200 thousand for the second, 300 thousand for the third and all further. In addition, the idea is made free of charge to provide housing for families with 5 or more children. Really constructive initiative, but the question arises: why did the local authorities do not implement it at their level? Now Ivano-Frankivsk provides only a one-time payment at birth-in total only 20 thousand hryvnias.

Fourth – At the level of legislation and the constitution it is proposed to “protect the lives of unborn Ukrainians.” Just like the great kobzar – “… both dead, and alive and unborn.” In this case, it is just about banning abortions.

March 11, the faithful of the UGCC, honoring the memory of aborted children, will begin a prayer marathon | Materials | Synod of bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Abortions in Ukraine: Is there such a problem?

The latest open data in relation to Statistics Abortions in our country date back to 2023. During this period, 45 186 abortions were made in Ukraine. At the same time, 187 387 children were born. That is, so many abortions could add +24% to total birth rate.

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In the period from 2011 to 2021, the Ukrainians in total almost 1.1 million times interrupted their pregnancy. And during the entire existence of an independent Ukraine has been done above 31 million abortions. These figures look frankly awful. For example, it is more than the population of the whole continent – Australia.

But all this is so scary at first glance. If we consider the situation in the dynamics of 10-12 years, we will immediately see that the number of abortions is constantly declining. Every year, this figure falls by about 7%. And from 2020 to 2022, this number decreased by 15% each year. In general, over the last 15 years, the number of abortions in Ukraine has decreased 3.6 times.

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Statistics are even more so far more compared to the nineties. For example, only one million (!) Abortions made in Ukraine alone in Ukraine. That is, in just one year of pregnancy was interrupted as many times as in 10 years now.

The figures cannot lie: the problem of abortion in Ukraine – to consider it at all – solved by itself. Every year, the number of artificial interruptions of pregnancy is steadily declining: from a million cases – to hundreds of thousands, from hundreds of thousands – to tens. The reasons for this phenomenon are the topic of a separate study, but the fact remains: such a pace in 10 years abortions in Ukraine will become literally single cases, at the level of statistical error.

In general, the topic of abortion is complex, sensitive and emotional. This question is always polar Assessments and reactions in society. But despite his personal attitude, one thing in this case is one thing: no country in the world has helped abortion yet and has not benefited.

What can this prohibition lead to if you imagine that the authorities have gone to it? To the next line of split in society and accusations of “reproductive violence” and the interference of the state in the personal affairs of citizens. This will also lead to risks for women and increased female mortality or injury in illegal abortion. After all, underground “clinics” with “masters” will bloom a lush flower, which there is no doubt. Since anything is prohibited is officially more accessible in the illegal plane.

It is also worth recalling the initiative that Ukrainians, aged 18 to 60, are still allowed to leave the country. In all neighboring countries, except Poland, abortion is completely legal. Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova and even, oddly enough, Belarus and the Russian Federation – in all these countries there are still no prohibitions on abortion, although in the RB and Russia are actively working on increased legislative restrictions. In any case, if it is impossible to interrupt pregnancy in Ukraine, nothing will hurt Ukrainians to go to Bulgaria, Romania or Hungary and do it there.

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Will abortion in Ukraine

From a legal point of view, the appeal of deputies of the City Council to the Cabinet of Ministers or other authorities is an instrument of only political nature. According to Article 43 The Law of Ukraine “On local self -government”, local councils are really entitled to approve public authorities on issues concerning the interests of territorial communities. Such appeals can apply to any socially important topics: economic, social or even moral and ethical.

However, the legal force of such initiatives is worthless. Appeal is not a normative legal act, that is, does not oblige the government to make any decisions. More: the Cabinet is not even obliged to respond to such a letter formally. Although in practice, the central government can answer with general explanations or simply take “to know”. It is rather the rule of good administrative tone.

In general, such appeals are tools of political pressure and positioning. In case of abortion ban, it is a clear signal to the society and the central government about the ideological position of the Ivano-Frankivsk city council. Such statements are intended to create a media effect and affect public debate, but they are not a mechanism for initiating legislative changes.

In addition, local authorities also do not have the right to ban abortion in their region. First, it would be a frankly stupid solution, because in all other areas it would be legally, as before. Secondly, in Ukraine, local authorities do not have the authority in the field of legislative regulation of medical services or the restriction of constitutional rights of citizens, in particular-the right to reproductive health, including the right to abortion.

Issues of reproductive rights of a woman, in particular abortion, are governed by the Civil Code, the Criminal Code, as well as the general principles of human rights, which are guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine. Any restriction on access to medical services, including abortions, should have a 100 % legal justification and not violate Ukraine’s international obligations in the field of human rights.

Therefore, such initiatives are aimed only at mobilizing their own electorate with conservative values, as well as stimulating public discussion. Other effects usually do not have such things. And it is unlikely that because of such political performances, Kyiv will really think about the ban on termination of pregnancy.

Although there is some likelihood with examples from history. Wars and crisis periods have been repeatedly used by states to interfere with demographic policy, including through the ban or restriction of abortion.

For example, in 1966, “Decree 770” was adopted in Romania, which forbade abortions and even contraception to increase birth rates. This has led to a significant increase in maternal mortality due to underground abortions. After the fall of the communist regime, the law was canceled.

In 1936, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin completely banned abortions to stimulate demographic growth on the eve of World War II. At the same time, in 1920, Soviet Russia became the world’s first state to give women full right to abortion. However, after the death of Stalin and after the post -war period in 1955, the restrictions were weakened.

In neighboring Poland, in the background of increasing the popularity of conservative views and general European “Right turn” In 2020, the Constitutional Court of the country actually banned abortions. They can only be done in very limited cases for purely medical reasons. This caused protests and stormy discussions among the Poles, and the media named New legislation “Hell for women”.

In Kiev, protested against the idea of ​​banning abortion - BBC News Ukraine

In general, world experience proves that attempts by abortion prohibitions during or after crisis (wars, dictatorships, etc.) are almost always repressive and negative social consequences. In particular, the growth of illegal abortions, mortality and worsening of women’s rights. Therefore, it is unlikely that in Ukraine will prohibit artificial termination of pregnancy. At least, this will definitely not happen “suddenly” or from that.

For Ivano-Frankivsk deputies, this case is a personal political PR. It seems that all the problems of this city have already been solved, so the City Council does not remain any other work but to fight “for the gene pool of the nation” at the all -Ukrainian level.

However, in one of politicians, one can definitely agree: the country really stands on the verge of a demographic catastrophe, and most likely, we have already crossed this border. However, solving this complicated problem by banning abortion is like trying to “cure” hunger, forbidding talking about food. Or solve the problem of depression by legislative ban on bad mood. At least this will not help, as much as possible – will only make it worse.

The main cat of Ukrainian demography is the war and the internal situation in the country: political, economic, security, social, psychological. And no prohibitions of abortion or the creation of regular wasteful ministries will solve this problem, but will only deepen.

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