According to the BBC, midwifery and nursing were the last two avenues of education for women in Afghanistan, which have now been closed down by the Taliban government.
This raises serious questions as the United Nations said in 2023 that Afghanistan needs an additional 18,000 midwives to meet the country’s needs.
Women training on these routes have said they were ordered not to return to classes in the morning, and while their statements have been confirmed by institutions in Afghanistan, the Taliban government’s health ministry has not issued any response.
The institutions say the Taliban have instructed them to close until further notice.
Despite Taliban promises to resume their education after ensuring the curriculum is “Islamic”, teenage girls have been unable to receive an education since 2021.
The only other way to obtain some education was midwifery or nursing – an important field because male doctors were not allowed to treat women unless a male guardian was present.
It is estimated that 17,000 women will take training in these courses but it is not clear what will happen next.
Trainees can be heard crying in a video sent to the BBC. In one video a student tells others, “Standing here and crying won’t help. Vice and morality officers (who enforce Taliban rules) are nearby, and I don’t want that to happen to any of you.” Anything bad happens.”
Another student said, “They even told us not to stand in the courtyard because the Taliban could come at any time and something could happen. Everyone was scared. For many of us, classes Participating in was a small ray of hope after a long time.” Unemployment, depression and isolation at home.”
Amu TV, an independent satellite television channel, quotes a 22-year-old man studying midwifery as saying, “I wanted to study law and become a judge or a prosecutor in my country, but when schools and universities were closed for us got closed, so I turned to it.” Midwifery. Now, they have snatched that away too. I’m watching my dreams die before my eyes,” she said.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate in Afghanistan is among the worst in the world, with 620 women dying per 100,000 live births.
