The war affects the children of Ukraine. Parliament debated a law that would allow 14-year-old pregnant women to marry. The country is bleeding and needs more children. After criticism, politicians withdrew the plan – also because of warnings about loopholes for pedophiles.
Published: 3:14 am
|
Updated: 5:30 a.m
- Ukrainian proposal for marriage from age 14 sparks outrage
- Bill provided for marriage for 14-year-old pregnant girls
- War in Ukraine is exacerbating the demographic crisis
- The country’s population fell from 41 to 36-39 million since the start of the war
Blick’s artificial intelligence is still learning and may make mistakes.
Daniel KestenholzNight shift editor
In January, a move in the Ukrainian parliament Rada caused outrage across the country. Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefantschuk (50) wanted girls to be able to marry as young as 14. If you are pregnant. After strong international reactions, the politician rowed back. The politician’s thought: In times of war, Ukraine runs out of children.
Specifically, it was about draft law No. 14394 of January 22, 2026, introduced by Rada President Stefantschuk. The planned new civil code stipulated that minors aged 14 and above would be allowed to marry if they were pregnant or had a child – but only with a court order.
From the age of 16, marriage should also be possible through the courts. So far, the minimum age in Ukraine is 18 years, with exceptions from 16.
Demographic Alerts
Stefantschuk and his initiators cited the demographic crisis as an argument: the Russian war of aggression had torn millions of young people from the country – through flight, injury or death. The state must find new ways to stabilize families.
International analyzes confirm the trend: millions of refugees, extremely low birth rates, high war losses. Before the war, around 41 million people lived in Ukraine. Today it is estimated that there are 36-39 million – several million fewer, mainly due to flight, migration and the consequences of war.
The demographic debate is being conducted openly in Ukraine: that if the war continues, the population could be drastically reduced in ten years – in a worst-case scenario to 10-15 million people.
The state must “replace” the shrinking population in the long term, says Tymofij Mylovanov (50), former minister for economic development, trade and agriculture and president of the Kyiv School of Economics. Myalowanow was referring to targeted immigration, family support and birth incentives, not individual legal measures.
Loophole for pedophiles?
The reactions to Stefantschuk’s legislative proposal were not only strong in Ukraine, but also internationally – because the proposal would leave minors without protection. Marriage from the age of 14 would give minors full legal capacity. Central protection mechanisms against exploitation could no longer apply. After heated discussions, Stefantschuk withdrew the controversial passage on Thursday this week.
The draft in this form is therefore off the table. For the Ukrainian business portal Kommersant, however, the issue is by no means settled: “Marriage instead of prison: Will marrying a 14-year-old be a legal solution for pedophiles?” is one Report on the controversial draft law. It is analyzed that this would have made it possible for pedophiles to abuse the law as a legal way out by marrying the pregnant 14-year-old victim.
Clear international line
With a 14-year rule, Ukraine would have deviated significantly from European and UN standards. In Switzerland, the minimum marriage age is 18 years – the same for men and women since the Civil Code revision in 1996, which lowered the age of majority from 20 to 18. Marriages underage are generally not recognized.
International law is clear: Unicef and the Council of Europe demand 18 years as the absolute minimum marriage age. Child marriages violate fundamental rights and promote coercive relationships.
For the Ukrainian business portal Kommersant, the topic remains
date: 2026-02-07 08:56:00