Taliban Bans Afghan Women from Medical Training Programs

The restriction ends one of the last educational opportunities for Afghan women and raises concerns over healthcare access in the country.

The Taliban has instructed health training institutes in Afghanistan to bar women from midwifery and nursing programs, effectively closing their last route to higher education.
The ban, reportedly issued by the Taliban supreme leader, has not been formalized in writing but was communicated during meetings with institute directors in Kabul.
Approximately 17,000 women enrolled in these programs face uncertainty, with some institutions told to hold final exams within 10 days while others remain in limbo.
The restriction exacerbates Afghanistan's healthcare crisis, as the country already faces a severe shortage of midwives and medical professionals, with one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally.
Videos and testimonies reveal deep despair among affected women, many of whom viewed these programs as their only hope for education and employment under Taliban rule.