About Face: Putin Urges More Women to Enter Workforce Despite Plea for Larger Families Amid Population Decline

Russian President Vladimir Putin advocates for increased female fertility rates, yet he also wants them to participate in traditionally male-dominated professions.

The latest directives from Putin, amidst the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, emphasize the need for Russian employers to hire more females, NDTV reported.

Putin, 71, stressed that young women constitute a significant resource, especially when considering the involvement of males in military actions.

As Front Page Detectives previously reported, Putin urged Russian families to adhere to the old Soviet Union tradition of having "seven, eight or even more children" due to the country's low birth rate. He designated 2024 as Russia's "Year of the Family."

However, these measures might not suffice. Putin is now encouraging employers to embrace a concept reminiscent of the women's liberation movement from 50 years ago in the United States and to "exploit the potential" of women, stating “all boundaries are being erased,” NDTV reported.

Putin pointed to examples such as women excelling in Russia's air force, and flying combat aircraft. He acknowledged that family concerns and health issues might affect female participation in certain roles, recognizing the complexity of balancing work and family responsibilities.

Despite a current workforce comprising 36.9 million male workers compared to 35 million females, with both categories experiencing recent declines, according to She The People, Putin aims to expand the military, possibly influenced by reported heavy losses in Ukraine.

This expansion aligns with his reference to female air force pilots, challenging traditional gender norms.

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Front Page Detectives reported that female lawmaker Yekaterina Duntsova announced her challenge to Putin in the March 2024 presidential election.

A former TV reporter and current regional legislator, Duntsova's candidacy underscores evolving dynamics in Russian politics.

Putin faces additional challenges, as recent street protests by the wives and girlfriends of Russian military personnel demand an end to the conflict in Ukraine.