Taliban ban women in Afghanistan from attending medical school
- Clementine Saliot
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 15
The controlling restr
ictions on women’s right to education in Afghanistan reached a new and deeply concerning milestone on December 3rd, as the Taliban imposed a new ban, prohibiting Afghan women from attending medical school. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have systematically threatened the basic human rights of women and girls, particularly their right to education.
On September 12th, 2021, girls were banned from a secondary school education, followed by further restrictions, limiting their access to various education centers. However, until now, one of the only remaining pathways for Afghan women to pursue education were through further education colleges including medicine. However, their latest ban, excluding women from medical school, has sparked shock and desperation among Afghan girls, who continuously suffer from gender inequality, and have, once again, had their dreams and future torn away from them. Pain and hopelessness reigns for Afghan women, which can be heard as some speak out to the media, “this was my last hope to do something, to become something”, “they have already taken everything from us. Next thing we won’t even be allowed to breathe”
The ban on women pursuing medical careers could have critical consequences on Afghanistan’s healthcare system, which already faces problems and concerns. The Taliban have already prohibited women to be treated by male doctors without the presence of a male guardian; so, the fact that women will no longer be able to perform jobs like nursing or midwifery, Afghanistan is going to face severe labor shortage of female healthcare. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan already has one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world, with a report demonstrating that 620 women were dying per 100,000 births. The UN states that the new ban “will undoubtedly lead to unnecessary suffering, illness, and possibly deaths of Afghan women and children, now and in future generations, which could amount to femicide”. This ban provokes tremendous repercussions, economically speaking, as Afghan women will no longer be able to provide income, on healthcare and safety, and it is another general setback on gender equality and freedom.
The future of women’s education in Afghanistan and the progression of the recent ban remains uncertain, however, it serves as a clear signal of the Taliban’s increasing restrictions creating oppression and inequality in every Afghan woman’s life. Despite the risks and dangerous circumstances, these women continue to show resilience to fight for their freedom of expression, healthcare, education rights, and for an end to gender inequality.
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