Afghan Women Face New Restrictions as Medical Training is Banned Amid Health Crisis

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has dealt a devastating blow to women's education by banning their access to midwifery and nursing training—the last two educational avenues available to them. This decision comes as the country faces a critical shortage of healthcare workers, particularly midwives, with the United Nations estimating a need for an additional 18,000 to meet Afghanistan's healthcare demands.

For many Afghan women, midwifery, and nursing offered a rare opportunity to contribute to their communities despite severe restrictions on education since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Male doctors are not allowed to treat women without a male guardian present, making female healthcare professionals vital in addressing the nation’s high maternal mortality rate—one of the worst globally, with 620 women dying per 100,000 live births.

Students were reportedly ordered not to return to classes, with institutions confirming the Taliban's instructions to suspend training indefinitely. Videos captured by students show the heartbreak and despair this ban has caused. One midwifery student expressed her shattered hopes, saying, "I’m watching my dreams die before my eyes."

This restriction intensifies the isolation, depression, and unemployment many Afghan women already face. In a country where women’s access to basic rights has been systematically eroded, this latest ban is not just a setback for gender equality but a catastrophic blow to public health.

As international organizations grapple with how to respond, the health crisis in Afghanistan deepens, and the future for Afghan women grows increasingly uncertain.

​Refrence From: www.ndtv.com​