KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Taliban authorities have suspended a crucial polio vaccination campaign in Kabul, citing the requirement for female vaccinators to be accompanied by a male guardian or mahram, sources said.
The vaccination campaign, initially set to begin on September 9, has been postponed until further notice, according to two sources who spoke to KabulNow. The suspension reportedly affects female vaccinators, although the official reason has not yet been disclosed.
One female vaccinator expressed uncertainty about the cause of the suspension but noted that coordinators have indicated the restriction may apply only to women workers.
There are growing concerns that female vaccinators could soon be banned entirely, further disrupting efforts to eradicate polio in Afghanistan.
The requirement for women to have male guardians accompany them has already been enforced in several provinces, including Herat and Kandahar. In Kandahar, where the campaign continues on a mosque-to-mosque basis, female vaccinators have been excluded from participating.
The delay in the campaign has raised alarms among health experts, who warn that the interruption could jeopardize efforts to eliminate polio in Afghanistan. The country, along with Pakistan, is one of the last places where the disease remains endemic. This year alone, 12 new cases of polio have been reported in Kandahar, with two additional cases identified in Kunar and Nuristan provinces.
Female vaccinators play a critical role in reaching households in conservative areas where male workers are often not allowed to enter. The sidelining of women from the campaign is expected to leave large parts of the population, particularly children, vulnerable to new outbreaks.
Polio vaccination drives have historically been hampered by the Taliban, particularly due to restrictions on female health workers. Without their participation, health experts fear that entire regions could be left unprotected from the virus.
International health organizations have not yet commented on the suspension, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. However, the delay poses a significant setback to global polio eradication efforts, with Afghanistan at an increased risk of further outbreaks.
The Taliban’s restrictions on women continue to face widespread criticism. In December 2022, the group banned women from working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), further hindering humanitarian efforts. This policy has particularly impacted projects aimed at female-headed households, as Taliban-imposed gender segregation limits access by male workers.
In addition to the NGO ban, the Taliban extended its restrictions earlier this year, barring women from working with United Nations agencies involved in delivering humanitarian aid across the country.
