Taliban Bans Women's Medical Training in Afghanistan

The Taliban has banned Afghan women from training as midwives and nurses, effectively closing off their last remaining opportunity for higher education in the country. Reports indicate that several medical institutions received orders to cease operations for female students, prompting emotional protests from trainees. This decision is part of a broader pattern of restrictions on women's rights to education and healthcare, as the Taliban has systematically limited female access to schools and universities since regaining control in 2021. Human rights advocates warn that this ban will exacerbate already high maternal mortality rates, as female healthcare professionals are crucial in a society where male doctors cannot treat women without a male guardian present. Afghan women, numbering around 17,000 in training, have expressed their despair over the loss of educational opportunities and the impact it will have on healthcare access. The Taliban's justification for these decrees is rooted in their interpretation of Islamic law, despite widespread condemnation from international observers, including British diplomats who highlight the adverse effects on women's rights and healthcare access.