A Children’s Code: Legal Fantasy or Genuine Necessity?

Supporting families and fostering child development is a priority in Russia’s state policy. It is also an aim enshrined in the country’s constitution. We are currently in the midst of Russia’s Decade of Childhood, which is running from 2018 to 2027. The main goal of this initiative is to put in place a single concept underpinning the development of child protection policy in the country. There are a great many multi faceted issues surrounding the topic of protecting children’s rights. Healthcare is a particularly important area in this regard. An integrated approach needs to be taken to put child-protection guarantees in place. It should consolidate accomplishments from various spheres of life, and in doing so, harmoniously combine normativity, humanism and requirements stemming from a sociological understanding of law. Today, there is a real need to draft a Childhood Code. Are legislative changes needed in relation to the protection of children’s rights, with an emphasis on Russian identity? What can be done to protect national interests and ensure the fulfilment of national development objectives in line with traditional values?