Taliban Bans Women from Attending Nursing and Midwifery Classes in Afghanistan

 

Women in Afghanistan have been banned from attending nursing and midwifery classes following a decree issued by the Taliban’s supreme leader, according to senior staff at educational institutions offering these programs. The directive, which was shared verbally rather than in writing, was communicated to institute directors during a meeting in Kabul on Monday, December 2.

An official from Afghanistan's public health ministry, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the institute directors were informed that women and girls could no longer study at these institutions. The official noted that the directors were given no written documentation or clear rationale for the decision but were simply instructed to implement the order.

The sudden ruling has caused confusion among educational institutions, with some administrators seeking clarification from the health ministry, while others have continued their operations as usual, awaiting a formal directive. This ban marks yet another setback for women's education in Afghanistan, where the Taliban's return to power in 2021 has seen severe restrictions on educational opportunities for women and girls. In addition to the closure of secondary schools and universities for girls, many women had turned to health-related courses like nursing and midwifery, which were among the few remaining paths for education.

Currently, women make up the majority of students in Afghanistan’s health institutes, which include both public and private institutions offering diplomas in fields such as midwifery, anaesthesia, pharmacy, and dentistry. These institutes serve approximately 35,000 female students.

The ban has sparked concern among educational leaders. One institute manager expressed frustration, questioning what would become of the remaining students. "What are we supposed to do with just 10 percent of our students?" they asked.

Aysha, a 28-year-old midwifery teacher in Kabul, shared her shock at the decision, revealing that her institute had told her not to report to work until further notice. "This is a big shock for us. Psychologically, we are shaken. This was the only source of hope for the girls and women who were banned from universities," Aysha said.

The United Kingdom’s charge d’affaires in Afghanistan condemned the decision, calling it “deeply concerning.” The UK representative noted that the ban represents “another affront to women’s right to education” and will worsen healthcare access for Afghan women and children.

This move is expected to worsen the already severe shortage of medical and paramedical professionals in Afghanistan. A source from the health ministry warned that the ban would lead to even fewer trained healthcare workers, further crippling the country’s healthcare system.

The Taliban's continued actions have drawn widespread international criticism, with the United Nations describing the situation in Afghanistan as "gender apartheid," a term that highlights the systematic suppression of women's rights.