Women in Afghanistan have been prohibited from attending nursing and midwifery classes following a decree from the Taliban’s supreme leader, as reported by senior officials at educational institutions offering these programs.
During a meeting with institute directors in Kabul on December 2, health officials communicated this directive, according to a public health ministry representative who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity.
The official stated:
“There is no formal letter, but the directors were informed that women and girls can no longer study at their institutes. They received no further details or explanations, only the order from the supreme leader, which they were instructed to enforce.”
This ruling, which lacks official documentation, has led to uncertainty among educational institutions. While some administrators sought clarification from the health ministry, others have chosen to maintain their operations as usual, awaiting a written directive.
This ban represents yet another severe setback for women’s education in Afghanistan, which has faced increasing restrictions since the Taliban regained control in 2021. Girls have already been excluded from secondary schools and universities, leaving health-related studies as one of the few remaining educational avenues.
Currently, women make up the majority of students in Afghanistan’s health institutes, which consist of 10 public and over 150 private institutions offering two-year diplomas in areas such as midwifery, anaesthesia, pharmacy, and dentistry. These institutes collectively cater to around 35,000 female students.
Institute leaders have voiced their concerns regarding the implications of the ban. “What are we supposed to do with only 10 percent of our students?” one manager lamented.
Aysha, a 28-year-old midwifery instructor in Kabul, shared that she was instructed by her institute’s administration not to come to work until further notice. “This is a huge shock for us. We are psychologically affected. This was the only source of hope for the girls and women.”
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