Afghanistan’s Women Face New Barriers in Medical Education

For Saja, studying nursing in Kabul was her last hope after the Taliban banned women from universities two years ago. However, that hope was dashed when reports emerged that the Taliban has ordered the exclusion of women from medical training, causing panic across educational institutions.

Saja described the news as “reliving the same nightmare.” “Everything has been taken away from us for the crime of being a girl,” she lamented. The Taliban has yet to officially confirm this ban, which has been met with widespread condemnation.

Directors of healthcare training centers reported receiving verbal orders from the health ministry to expel female students. Confusion reigns, as some institutes continue operations while others have abruptly closed or hastily organized exams.

“Everyone is confused, and no one is sharing what is really happening,” Saja said, highlighting the chaos faced by students. Approximately 35,000 women are enrolled in health training programs across the country, but many now face uncertainty about their futures.

International organizations, including the United Nations, have condemned the ban as a form of “gender apartheid,” warning it could lead to severe consequences for maternal and infant health in Afghanistan, which already has some of the highest mortality rates in the world.

Desperate midwifery students, motivated by personal losses during childbirth, view their education as a vital vocation. Small protests have emerged, reflecting the growing frustration among women. Assal, another student, expressed her despair: “They had already taken everything from us. Next, we won’t even be allowed to breathe.”