In the Soviet Union birth control was made readily available to facilitate social equality between men and women. Alexandra Kollontai, USSR commissar for public welfare, promoted birth control education for adults. A recent, well-studied example of governmental restriction of birth control in order to promote higher birth rates in Ceaușescu-era Romania.[58][59] The surge in births resulting from Decree 770 led to great hardships for children and parents, matched by an increase in illegal abortions.