Taliban’s Ban on Female Medical Education: A Devastating Blow to Women’s Rights and Healthcare in Afghanistan

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have officially banned medical schools from admitting female students, marking a significant setback for women’s education and healthcare access, VOA reported.

The decree, issued by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, took effect on December 2, 2024, following a meeting in Kabul with heads of medical institutions. This decision has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights advocates and foreign diplomats, who argue that it will severely limit healthcare services for women in a society where male doctors are prohibited from treating female patients.

British diplomat Robert Dickson expressed deep concern over the ban, labeling it an affront to women’s rights and warning that it would further restrict healthcare access for Afghan women and children. The European Union echoed these sentiments, condemning the decision as a violation of fundamental human rights and urging its immediate reversal. EU envoy Tomas Niklasson emphasized that the ban would have devastating consequences for the country’s healthcare system, which already suffers from a shortage of female medical professionals.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have systematically restricted women’s education, banning female university attendance and limiting girls’ schooling to the sixth grade. The recent ban on medical education represents a further erosion of women’s rights and opportunities. Social media videos have surfaced showing Afghan girls expressing their despair over the decision, with some calling for drastic measures in response to their exclusion from medical education.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai described the ban as profoundly distressing, particularly given the health challenges faced by women and mothers in the country. He urged the Taliban to reverse their decision and reopen educational institutions to girls, emphasizing that education is vital for national development.

International organizations, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the ban as unprecedented and discriminatory. They warn that the absence of female healthcare providers will exacerbate Afghanistan’s already high maternal and infant mortality rates, further isolating women from essential medical care and undermining public health efforts.