The Taliban has ordered the closure of midwife courses and other institutions providing further education to Afghan women, leaving thousands of students in limbo. The closures come as a blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, which have been restricted since August 2021.
Female students had been training as midwives and nurses at five separate institutions across the country before they were told not to return to classes in the morning. Videos shared online show students crying at the news of their closure, with some even being given just a few minutes’ notice to leave.
The closures appear to be part of the Taliban’s policy on female education, which has seen teenage girls unable to access secondary and higher education since August 2021. The group has promised that women will be readmitted to school once certain issues are resolved, including ensuring an “Islamic” curriculum.
However, no formal announcement has been made about what will happen to the estimated 17,000 women on training courses or how they will meet the country’s growing need for midwives, who are in short supply. The closure of these courses also raises concerns about the future of women’s healthcare in Afghanistan, which already struggles with one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the world.
In a devastating blow to those affected, the closures leave many without a viable route to education or employment, forcing them to rely on uncertain futures and dwindling opportunities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy3l1035nlo