New Delhi: Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has brought back the “Mother Heroine” award from the Soviet era. This is done as Russia struggles with a demographic problem brought on by declining birth rates.
After suffering significant population losses during World War II, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin first established the honorary title “Mother Heroine” in 1944. On Monday, Putin renewed it. After the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, the title was no longer given.
Award for having 10 or more kids
Russia’s “Mother Heroine” title will be given to women who have and nurture 10 or more children, just like the honor from the Soviet era.
One-time award of 1 million rubles
Putin’s edict states that eligible women are given a one-time payment of 1 million rubles ($16,000) as soon as their tenth living kid reaches one. According to the order, the mothers are still eligible if they lose any of their children in combat, as a result of terrorism, or in an emergency scenario.
Similar to other govt awards
High-ranking governmental orders like the Hero of Russia and the Hero of Labor are on the same prestige level as the Mother Heroine title. On June 1, the day before Russia’s Children’s Day celebration, Putin originally suggested creating the Mother Heroine title. He said that large families were gradually seeing a comeback in Russian society.
Cardinal actions to deal with population loss
To address Russia’s demographic crisis, he has urged “cardinal” actions. Russia’s population has been dropping steadily for years, reaching 145.1 million in early 2022 following a drop of almost 400,000.
