Taliban Reportedly Ban Women from Pursuing Medical Education in Afghanistan

afghanistan - The Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan reportedly banned women from pursuing a medical education, raising concerns about the impact on healthcare services.

The Taliban has allegedly issued a ban on women pursuing a medical education, including nursing and midwifery, as reported by HRW. The consequences of this ban could be dire, as warned by Doctors Without Borders, citing the essential role of female medical staff in healthcare. Even before the Taliban took power in August 2021, it was already challenging for women to receive medical treatment from male doctors.

UNICEF has expressed concerns about the potentially life-threatening consequences for women and children if the ban is enforced. The Ministry of Health in Afghanistan has not yet responded to this development.

Under the Taliban rule, girls and women have been denied access to secondary schools and universities for some time. The healthcare sector had been an exception until now.