KABUL (SW) – Following reports about the Islamic Emirate’s decision to close medical institutes to female students in Afghanistan, a wave of anxiety and despair has swept through the affected students and their families.
While this decision has not been officially confirmed, 21 female students interviewed by Salam Watandar stated that they had been informed by their institutions that they would be allowed only 10 more days to take their final semester exams before being sent home.
The news has sparked widespread reactions. Medical professionals have warned that this move could exacerbate the shortage of female specialists in the healthcare sector, jeopardizing the health of women and children in the country.
Women’s rights activists and social experts also view this decision as a serious threat to the future of Afghan women, warning of the potential rise in depression and despair among young girls. Families are deeply discouraged by the decision, with some even contemplating leaving the country.
On the international stage, the decision has been met with strong condemnation. The global community has expressed concern, calling it a violation of fundamental human rights and a setback for the efforts made to improve the status of women in Afghanistan.
Although no official statement has yet been issued by the Islamic Emirate de-facto government, the news has not been officially denied either.
Meanwhile, officials from several medical institutes, who wished to remain anonymous, have confirmed the closure of these institutes to female students. Additionally, sources from the Ministry of Public Health, according to some media reports, have also verified the decision.
Fears about the future
The female students who have been barred of learning education in medical institutions, expressed deep concern about the uncertain future and the emotional toll this decision might have on them. Many of them had turned to medical institutes after universities were shut down, and now they face the real possibility of having no path forward for their education.
Sonita, a final-year student at a medical institute in Balkh, says, “I was deeply affected because I was so close to graduation. When schools were closed, we were the last class of 12th graders to finish school. After the universities were closed, I decided to continue my studies in medical institutes. Now, I’m heartbroken because these institutes had become our only hope.”
Zahra, a nursing and midwifery student at the Abu Ali Sina Institute in Balkh, says this news shattered her dreams. “We were holding onto these institutes as our last chance to continue our education after schools and universities were closed. I was studying in two fields.”
Ten of these students, who had previously been enrolled in various government universities, turned to medical institutes after universities were closed. They now face the painful repetition of their past experiences when the same fate befell them again.
Manila, a former journalism student at the University of Parwan, says, “When I heard about the closure of the medical institutes, I was devastated. My spirit was broken; I thought this was the last chance for us. I had completed my first semester in journalism at Parwan University before it was shut down.”
Roqia, a former Sharia studies student, also shares, “I had set a new goal and worked hard, receiving good grades. I was on my way to becoming a doctor, to help my family, my country, and other women. Now, I’ve truly lost all hope. First, universities were shut down, and now the medical institutes, which were our last hope, are also closing.”
Over three years after the recent political changes in Afghanistan and the establishment of the new regime, Afghan women continue to face increasing restrictions. However, some of the young women interviewed in this report are still calling on the Islamic Emirate administration to restore their right to education.
Shaqayeq, a 19-year-old from Parwan, says, “I ask the government to reopen schools and universities for girls so we can build a bright future for our country.”
Maryam, a 20-year-old from Kabul, also urges, “I ask the Islamic Emirate to please consider us as human beings with equal rights. Men and women have the same right to education. We are Muslims, we observe Islamic hijab, and we just want access to education. Please open the doors of the medical institutes for us.”
Doctors and social activists are warning that the ban on medical education for women in Afghanistan could have serious consequences for the country’s healthcare system. According to healthcare professionals, Afghanistan may soon face a significant shortage of female medical staff.
Mohammad Sadeq Karwal, an internal medicine specialist, says: “From a medical perspective, this decision will have negative effects. This is a traditional society, and women do not want to be examined by male doctors, creating a clear gap. Moreover, having female doctors is absolutely necessary because women often do not allow male doctors to treat them.”
Ahmad Rashed Sediqi, a social affairs expert, and Husna Raufi, a women’s rights activist, both agree that this decision will not only create social problems but will also be deeply upsetting.
Sediqi states: “Unfortunately, closing educational centers to girls in any field, especially in the medical field where most women are treated by female doctors, could have severe, negative, and unfortunate consequences. This could create numerous challenges because we live in a traditional society, and our daughters and women are not allowed to be treated by male doctors.”
“Every day a new restriction is placed on women in Afghanistan, the political, economic, social, and cultural situation deteriorates, and as a woman, I feel sad that our daughters and peers in Afghanistan cannot achieve their dreams,” Raufi added.
Psychologists emphasize that this decision is likely to worsen psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and decreased self-confidence among young girls.
Hasina Mohammadi, a psychologist, explains: “This decision will exacerbate psychological challenges for girls, causing them to suffer from various disorders such as depression, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and other issues. These young women feel that they have no future and are becoming individuals without self-confidence.”
On the other hand, some families of these female students have expressed concern that the closure of medical institutes to women threatens their children’s future and may even push them to consider migrating out of the country.
Bashir Ahmad and Sahar, the parents of two daughters who were unable to continue their education at medical institutes, describe their current situation as extremely difficult.
Bashir Ahmad says: “This has a very negative impact, especially on me personally. One of my daughters was studying obstetrics at an institute, and she came home crying, saying the institutes had been shut down. I was deeply saddened. Every day, I lose more hope and think about leaving this country. If I could, I wouldn’t stay here for another day.”
Sahar, the mother of two, adds: “Since I heard about the closure of the institutes, I’ve lost track of day and night. I can’t sleep. I don’t know how to comfort my daughter, who is devastated. She was in university, but when that closed, she became depressed. I took her to a psychologist a few times, and I encouraged her to study at the institutes, but now that too has been closed.”
International reactions
The closure of medical institutes to women in Afghanistan has not only caused widespread concern and despair among students, families, and human rights activists but has also prompted strong international reactions.
Robert Dixon, Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy in Afghanistan, condemned the closure of medical education for women, calling it “another insult” to women’s rights in education.
Similarly, Human Rights Watch has warned that this ban will lead to “pain, suffering, illness, and premature death for women in Afghanistan.”
Amnesty International also described the decision as another “systematic gender-based attack” on Afghan women and girls, stressing that this restriction will not only deny Afghan women access to their last remaining educational opportunities but will also have detrimental consequences for their health.
Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, expressed surprise and disappointment at the silence of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on this issue, calling the UN’s “inaction unacceptable.”
Despite the widespread reactions, the Islamic Emirate de-facto government has yet to officially confirm this decision. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, told Salam Watandar that he does not have detailed information on the issue, adding, “I don’t have enough information about this topic; the details are with the Ministry of Public Health.”
Attempts to obtain the Ministry’s official response were unsuccessful, though sources within the Ministry of Public Health have confirmed the ban on female students at medical institutes to several media outlets.
