Taliban restrictions halt training for thousands of female health workers in Afghanistan

A United Nations report covering October to December 2024 reveals that nearly 40,000 midwives and 3,000 nurses in Afghanistan were unable to complete their training due to Taliban-imposed restrictions.

The report highlights the severe impact of these measures on women’s health sector education, with these individuals unable to graduate and serve Afghan communities.

UN Deputy Envoy Indrika Ratwatte stressed that the ban would directly affect the health and well-being of women and girls. The report also documents increasing restrictions on female health workers, such as mandatory male chaperones (mahrams) for commuting to work in some provinces.

Despite the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs denying these claims, incidents have been recorded where such rules were enforced by the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The report also noted ongoing restrictions on girls’ education and women’s participation in public life.