In brief
Recent reports confirm that women enrolled in midwifery and nursing programs across Afghanistan have been ordered to discontinue their studies, exacerbating the ongoing crisis in women's education and healthcare under Taliban rule.
Women training to be midwives and nurses in Afghanistan faced a devastating setback as they were informed by their institutions that they could no longer attend classes. According to reports by the BBC, five different educational bodies confirmed a Taliban directive to suspend all midwifery courses indefinitely, leaving students distraught and in tears. Although the Taliban’s health ministry has not officially verified this sudden closure, it is seen as part of the broader restriction on female education that has persisted since the group's return to power in August 2021.The Taliban has previously stated that all girls would have the opportunity to return to school once certain conditions, including an "Islamic" curriculum, were met. However, these changes have yet to materialize, and the closure of midwifery courses represents one of the final pathways to education for women in the country. With male doctors prohibited from treating female patients unless accompanied by male guardians, training female healthcare providers has become increasingly essential.Just three months prior to this closure, the BBC reported from a midwife training center in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where women in their twenties were eager to learn vital skills. One participant, Safia, expressed pride in her education, having made sacrifices to contribute to her community. Nevertheless, fears surrounding the sustainability of their education remained palpable among the women.The implications of this ban extend beyond personal despair. With an estimated 17,000 women affected, the future of Afghan women in healthcare hangs in the balance. Sources from the Ministry of Health confirmed the ban off the record but have provided no formal communication regarding the decision. Video footage sent to the BBC illustrated the emotional turmoil experienced by students as they faced abrupt dismissals and warnings from authoritative officials against lingering on campus.One woman described the chilling atmosphere as they were instructed to leave classrooms swiftly without completing their exams or gathering in courtyards for fear of Taliban reprisals. The closure also raises critical questions about the country's healthcare needs; the United Nations previously indicated Afghanistan requires an additional 18,000 midwives to adequately serve its population. The country's already alarming maternal mortality rate—at 620 deaths per 100,000 live births—could worsen due to the diminishing number of trained professionals.Overall, this latest measure by the Taliban strips Afghan women of crucial education and job prospects, threatening their autonomy and the overall health of women in the region.
