Recently, the Taliban in Afghanistan announced a new decree prohibiting women from enrolling in medical training institutions, marking the closure of one of the final exceptions in their sweeping ban on education for older girls and women. Issued by the Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, during a meeting with the Ministry of Public Health, this move carries significant consequences for both the country’s healthcare system and the fundamental rights of women.
The decree not only halts the training of female healthcare workers but also exacerbates the existing challenges in a healthcare system already plagued by shortages of trained medical professionals. In some provinces, women have been prohibited from being treated by male doctors, a policy that now leaves many without access to adequate care. Without female healthcare workers to treat them, women will face unnecessary health risks, including increased maternal mortality and a lack of basic healthcare services.
The ban comes on the heels of the Taliban’s previous restrictions on education for girls and women. Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed a series of severe measures limiting the rights of women and girls, including barring girls from attending secondary school beyond sixth grade in September 2021 and preventing them from attending universities in December 2022. These policies have systematically stripped Afghan women of their fundamental freedoms, including the right to education, freedom of movement, work, and access to healthcare.
Women's rights defenders and human rights organizations have voiced strong condemnation of the Taliban’s actions, calling for accountability for the violations against women and girls. Human Rights Watch has urged that the Taliban be held accountable for their crimes, as efforts to address impunity for these violations remain crucial for the country’s future.
The impact of these policies extends far beyond education. In a country where women and children heavily rely on female healthcare providers for culturally sensitive care, this ban would undermine efforts to ensure women receive proper maternal care and children get vaccinations. The lack of female health professionals means women are less likely to seek care during pregnancy, jeopardizing their health and that of their babies.
International organizations, including UNICEF, have expressed deep concern over the decree. UNICEF’s spokesperson stated, “If confirmed, this ban is expected to immediately halt the medical education of thousands of women and jeopardize women and girls’ access to healthcare. It would be another devastating blow to the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.”
With a desperate shortage of trained health workers, particularly female professionals, Afghanistan’s healthcare system is at risk of collapse. Female health workers play a critical role in providing maternal care, immunizing children, and ensuring communities have access to essential services. Without them, the health of the entire population is in danger, and many lives will be lost.
The international community is watching closely, as the announcement by International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan suggests there may soon be steps toward holding the Taliban accountable. Khan indicated that arrest warrants could be issued soon, offering a glimmer of hope that justice for the violations against Afghan women may eventually be pursued.
UNICEF continues to call for the Taliban to reverse their decision and allow women to pursue medical education, stressing that the future of Afghanistan’s healthcare system depends on the full participation of both male and female medical professionals.
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