In brief
The ban on midwifery courses is part of ongoing efforts to isolate women from education in Afghanistan.
Afghan women training as midwives and nurses were abruptly banned from attending classes, marking a significant setback for their educational prospects. Multiple institutions across the country confirmed that they received instructions from the Taliban to halt all training programs, which has led to distress among students, as seen in videos showing them in tears.While the Taliban has not publicly confirmed this order through its health ministry, the closure aligns with its broader agenda to restrict female education. Since August 2021, teenage girls have been barred from secondary and higher education, despite Taliban pledges to eventually reopen schools once certain issues, including the alignment of the curriculum with Islamic principles, were addressed—promises that remain unfulfilled.Women previously looked to vocational training in midwifery and nursing as one of the scant educational opportunities accessible to them, particularly since male healthcare providers are prohibited from treating women without a male guardian present. Just three months ago, a Taliban-run midwifery training center welcomed women striving to learn essential skills in obstetrics, who expressed pride in their contributions to society.However, anxiety over potential closures loomed even then, and now, with the sudden halt of training programs, the future of approximately 17,000 women in similar courses hangs in the balance. Sources within the Ministry of Health have privately confirmed the ban, although no formal announcement has been made.In distressing videos captured at various training colleges, students openly weep and express their fear regarding the increasing Taliban restrictions. One student candidly shared the sentiment of waiting in limbo, saying, "Even though it is the end of our semester, exams have not yet been conducted." Another added that instructions were given to leave classrooms quickly, with warnings to avoid congregating outdoors due to possible repercussions.This situation raises critical concerns for women's healthcare in Afghanistan, which already suffers from some of the highest maternal mortality rates worldwide. The United Nations previously estimated that at least 18,000 additional midwives would be necessary to effectively address the country’s healthcare needs, but those aspirations now appear more unattainable than ever.
