The Soviet Union was among the leaders in number of abortions performed per woman. It is estimated that the average Soviet woman underwent betwen two and three abortions over the course of her child bearing years. Through perestroika the only available methods of birth control were the spiral and poor quality condoms. Now western birth control products are available in Russian big cities. Still lagging behind the times is education on family planning. Less than 5% of schools offer any form of sex education. Promiscuity and abortion among juvenile girls in Russia is on the rise.
The photographs in this series were taken in St. Petersburg at Russia's only abortion clinic specializing in abortion and veneral disease treatment for juveniles. This state clinic performs between 10 and 15 free abortions per day on girls from ages 14 - 17. The entire process including pre-operation consultation requires less than four hours. The patient is not obliged to inform her parents. Doctors estimate that 25% of girls 15 years of age or under who have undergone an abortion will become sterile.
23k
19k
24k
20k