Svetlana Medvedeva toured the in-patient unit of the Crisis Centre, where there are currently ten underage girls under observation by doctors and psychologists. The First Lady spoke with the young mothers, who had their babies with them (the youngest was just five days old), asking whether they had considered terminating their pregnancies upon finding themselves in such a difficult situation at a young age. All the girls said that they hadn’t, which made the First Lady very happy.
For several years, Ms Medvedeva has headed the steering committee of the Give Me Life movement, which is aimed at maintaining and supporting motherhood in Russia. The events of this movement are launched every year right after the Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness and last for one week.
Svetlana Medvedeva gave the Crisis Centre some gifts: cribs, toys and books. She wished the young mothers “to raise the children in love and kindness” and expressed her hope that a happy future awaits them.
According to director Tatyana Khrupalova, the Crisis Centre helps underage girls 14 and older who are 32 weeks or more into their pregnancies, as well as underage mothers with children less than six months old. If necessary, a mother and child’s stay at the Centre can be extended up to a year or more. Girls at the Centre not only learn how to care for their children but also continue receiving an education and learn professional skills that can subsequently help them to earn their living.