Officials at nursing and midwifery training centers in Afghanistan have reported that the Taliban government leader has issued a decree prohibiting the education of women and girls in these centers. The Afghanistan section of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Tuesday, December 4, citing two informed sources that this decree has been implemented as of today. The report states that the order from Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada was announced a day earlier during a meeting at the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan. These informed sources told Radio Liberty Afghanistan that heads of private educational institutions affected by this decree have been summoned to the Ministry of Public Health to be informed about it. The report adds that according to the Taliban leader's directive, all institutions providing training in midwifery, nursing, and laboratory sciences are prohibited from enrolling or educating female students. Agence France-Presse also reported, citing officials from nursing and midwifery education in Afghanistan without naming them, that 'there is no official letter, but at a meeting, managers of institutions were informed that women and girls can no longer receive education in their institutions.' According to statistics from the Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan, about 33,500 female students were studying in midwifery and nursing training centers in Afghanistan. One midwifery specialist in Afghanistan, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, expressed regret over the Taliban government's decision to Radio Liberty Afghanistan, stating that if this prohibition is enforced in educational centers, maternal and child mortality rates are likely to increase in the near future. According to her, there is a shortage of midwives and nurses for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and after the birth of babies in remote areas of Afghanistan, and if more midwives and nurses do not graduate, Afghanistan will face significant challenges in providing healthcare services for mothers and children in the near future. The ban on education for female students in nursing and midwifery institutions by the Taliban comes at a time when this group has previously prohibited Afghan girls and women from studying at universities and other higher education institutions.
Taliban Leader Bans Education for Girls in Nursing and Midwifery
The Taliban leader has issued a decree banning the education of girls in nursing and midwifery training centers in Afghanistan, effective immediately. This decision affects approximately 33,500 female students and raises concerns about increased maternal and child mortality rates due to a shortage of healthcare professionals. The ban reflects the ongoing restrictions on women's education under Taliban rule.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Taliban leader has issued a decree banning the education of girls in nursing and midwifery training centers in Afghanistan, affecting about 33,500 female students. This decision raises concerns about increased maternal and child mortality rates due to a shortage of healthcare professionals.
- The ban is effective immediately and has been communicated to educational institutions.
- This decision follows previous restrictions on women's education in universities and other higher education institutions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Since the Taliban regained control in 2021, they have imposed strict regulations limiting women's rights, particularly in education and employment. This ban on nursing and midwifery education is a continuation of that trend.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%