Women’s education ban will increase maternal mortality in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is facing a significant public health crisis as the Taliban government continues to impose restrictions on women's education and professional training. Since the takeover in 2021, the regime has banned women from universities and, more recently, has prohibited them from studying midwifery and nursing at medical training institutes. This ban, which has not been officially announced but is being enforced through directives to educational institutions, affects approximately 35,000 women who are currently pursuing medical studies. Health professionals, including doctor Najmussama Shefajo, have expressed grave concerns about the long-term implications of these restrictions. Shefajo, who operates a private hospital in Kabul, warns that without adequate training and education opportunities, the maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan are projected to rise sharply, potentially within three to four years. This prediction is alarming given that the country already has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world. The UN children's agency, UNICEF, has echoed these concerns, describing the situation as a form of gender apartheid imposed by the Taliban authorities. Women in Afghanistan depend on female health care providers for culturally appropriate and sensitive care, particularly during childbirth. The alarming prediction by health professionals highlights the critical need for trained female practitioners in a country characterized by high fertility rates and significant health challenges for women. In an environment where many medical procedures cannot be performed at home, the ongoing restriction on women's medical education will severely hinder health care access and exacerbate the existing health care crisis. Currently, the Afghan health system suffers from a lack of trained health care workers, particularly in specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology. The implications of these educational bans may ultimately lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates among Afghan women and children, underlining the urgent need for international attention and advocacy in support of women's rights to education in Afghanistan.