Women pursuing nursing and midwifery studies in Afghanistan are facing an unexpected setback as the Taliban imposes a new ban on their enrollment in health institutes.
Senior officials at several educational institutions confirmed the decision on Tuesday, following a meeting with health ministry representatives in Kabul, who conveyed an edict from the Taliban’s supreme leader.
The new directive, announced without an official letter but communicated directly to institute directors, effectively prevents women and girls from continuing their studies in nursing, midwifery, and other health-related fields.
Health officials reportedly instructed directors to implement the ruling without providing further explanation or justification.
“This is a shocking and unclear decision,” said one unnamed institute manager, who attended the meeting with other educational leaders.
“We were simply told to carry out the supreme leader’s order, but there were no specifics or reasoning provided.”
The meeting, held on Monday, left many directors and educators in a state of confusion.
A senior employee from another institute explained that despite initial uncertainty, the institutes were granted a 10-day window to administer final exams for the current cohort of female students.
Some institute managers have petitioned the health ministry for clarification, while others have proceeded with their operations as usual, lacking any official documentation.
This latest move is a continuation of the Taliban’s broader restrictions on women’s education, which began shortly after their return to power in 2021. At that time, girls were barred from attending schools beyond secondary education.
Since then, many Afghan women flocked to health institutes as one of the few remaining pathways to further their education and secure employment.
With women making up the majority of students at over 150 private and 10 public health institutes across Afghanistan, the ban is expected to significantly impact both women’s empowerment and the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
There are approximately 35,000 female students currently enrolled in these programs, ranging from midwifery to anaesthesia and pharmacy.
“What are we supposed to do with just 10 percent of our students?” one institute manager asked, expressing concerns over the future of healthcare education in the country.
Health ministry officials warned that the ban would exacerbate the already critical shortage of trained medical and paramedical staff in Afghanistan, further straining an overburdened healthcare system.
The ban has also left educators in distress.
Aysha, a 28-year-old midwifery teacher, was informed by her private institute’s management that she should refrain from coming to work until further notice.
“This is a big shock for us. Psychologically, we are shaken,” she said, reflecting on the toll the sudden policy change has taken on both teachers and students.
“This was the only source of hope for the girls and women who were banned from universities.”
The United Kingdom’s chargé d’affaires expressed grave concern over the ban, describing it as a further affront to women’s rights to education and a step backward in access to healthcare for Afghan women and children.
The ban on female students at health institutes is poised to have long-term effects not only on women’s access to education but also on the future of healthcare in Afghanistan.
With a generation of young women now effectively barred from pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare, the country’s ability to meet its health needs is in jeopardy.
The Taliban’s recent actions highlight a growing divide between their ruling policies and international expectations on women’s rights and education, adding further pressure on Afghanistan’s already strained social systems.