Gender, Russian Orthodoxy, and the Invention of “Traditional” Values
“Freed from state atheism in 1990, the ROC dedicated itself to the fight against abortion. The topic had almost no support among the Russian conservative political actors, but it was supported in particular by evangelical and Catholic actors from abroad prompting the so-called pro-life movement. Subsequently, the pro-life movement, which was institutionalized by the World Congress of Families, [politicalresearch.org] marked the beginning of the alliance of conservative actors in the West and in Russia. This movement also took up other issues surrounding the struggle for “natural order” such as anti-genderism, homeschooling, and a traditional image of women. Over the years, and especially in the wake of Russia’s conservative identity discourses including demographic panic, the movement was able to achieve small successes in Russian legislation. For example, in 2011 abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy were banned except for medical emergencies. Even with this exception, doctors can refuse to perform an abortion on grounds of conscience.”