KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UK government called, “in the strongest terms,” on the Taliban authorities to lift the ban that prohibits women and girls from pursuing medical education in Afghanistan.
The Taliban authorities have recently ordered all public and private institutions to suspend medical education programs, such as nursing and midwifery, for women and girls. The directive, reportedly issued by the reclusive Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, took effect on Tuesday, December 3.
Midwifery and nursing training were the only educational avenues left open to women and girls under the Taliban’s oppressive regime. They had previously barred women and girls from attending school and university, among other restrictions.
In a statement on Friday, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the UK government is “greatly concerned” about the Taliban’s latest ban, calling it an “appalling violation of fundamental human rights.”
“Afghanistan is the only country imposing such restrictive policies on girls’ education, this latest decision is a further tragic setback,” part of the statement reads.
The UK office said, “Such a draconian policy will severely undermine the provision of healthcare to women and children,” adding that it will have serious long-term implications and threaten the health and lives of many Afghans.
“The international community must remain united in our firm opposition to continued Taliban restrictions,” the UK Foreign Office said, noting that it will continue to lobby for this cause, urging other countries to prioritize the issue.
“We call, in the strongest terms, for the Taliban to allow women to access medical education.”
The UK’s call comes amid a growing chorus of voices from around the world, including the UN, rights groups, and Islamic organizations, condemning the ban and demanding that the Taliban reverse it.
Earlier, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the largest Islamic organization, called on the Taliban to lift the ban, warning that it would have a “detrimental impact” on Afghanistan’s already struggling health system.
The OIC described the Taliban’s latest ban on women and girls as inconsistent with its resolution and contrary to Islamic principles regarding women’s rights.
Meanwhile, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, warns that the ban would worsen the existing shortage of female health workers and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system.
“There is no healthcare system without educated female health practitioners,” said Mickael Le Paih, MSF’s country representative in Afghanistan. “In MSF, 50 percent of our medical staff are women. The decision to bar women from studying at medical institutes will further exclude them from both education and the impartial provision of healthcare.”
Previously, the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, US Special Envoy Rina Amiri, the European Union, rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as politicians and activists, voiced concern over the Taliban’s latest ban and called for its immediate revocation.
