The Taliban‘s recent closure of midwifery and nursing educational programs in Afghanistan has raised alarms over the growing barriers to female education. According to the BBC, these fields were among the last options for women to receive an education after the Taliban restricted access to secondary and higher education for girls in 2021.
The United Nations reported in 2023 that Afghanistan needs an additional 18,000 midwives to meet the country’s healthcare needs. However, recent orders by the Taliban government have prohibited women from attending their classes, effectively shutting down these critical training programs. Institutions across Afghanistan have confirmed the closures, though the Taliban’s health ministry has not yet issued an official response.
With male doctors unable to treat women without the presence of a male guardian, midwifery and nursing became essential services for women, offering them a rare opportunity to contribute to healthcare. Yet, the closure of these programs has left around 17,000 women trainees uncertain about their futures.
Trainees have shared emotional stories, with some students expressing their despair over the loss of their education. One student, who had turned to midwifery after being denied access to law school, said, “I’m watching my dreams die before my eyes.” Many others are left in a state of fear and confusion, with reports of women being warned to avoid public spaces as Taliban enforcers patrol.
Afghanistan already faces one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 620 women dying per 100,000 live births, according to the World Health Organisation. The closure of these educational programs only exacerbates the challenges to improving women’s health in the country.
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