The Taliban's decision to impose a ban on women's medical education is having severe repercussions on health and education in Afghanistan.
The move, announced by the Taliban's Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has led to a dangerous rise in maternal and child mortality rates due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
According to a report by the United Nations, Afghanistan has a maternal mortality rate of over 600 deaths per 10,000 births, which is nearly three times the global average.
In certain provinces, women are also banned from treating male patients, which has severely affected the performance of female health workers.
Experts argue that this ban not only violates women's fundamental rights but also endangers human lives. The Taliban's crackdown on girls' education, which started in 2021 by restricting girls from attending school from the sixth grade onwards, has compounded the problem.
This latest move highlights the ongoing challenges facing women's rights in Afghanistan, particularly in sectors critical to public health and education, putting the well-being of the population at risk.
