Afghan Women Face Setbacks: Taliban Restricts Nursing and Midwifery Access
The Taliban has reportedly banned women in Afghanistan from studying nursing and midwifery, marking another significant restriction on women’s rights under their regime.
This directive was communicated verbally to heads of educational institutions during a meeting, with no formal written order provided.
Institutions have been instructed to suspend female students’ education in these fields immediately.
The decision is expected to exacerbate Afghanistan’s healthcare crisis, especially given its high maternal mortality rate and severe shortage of midwives—estimated at over 18,000 needed.
Nursing and midwifery were among the few professional opportunities available to Afghan women under Taliban rule, and this move further limits their access to education and employment.
International organizations and governments have condemned this action, describing it as a severe violation of women’s rights and a threat to public health in the country​.