Afghanistan (MNN) — The Taliban in Afghanistan recently came out with another harsh restriction. Afghan women are now banned from education in nursing and midwifery – the last open door for women’s education in the country. Many women who were already in these educational programs suddenly found themselves turned away by their institutions.

This latest ban is due to the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia law, pushing women further into the shadows of Afghan society.

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

Nehemiah with FMI says, “For many Afghan women, nursing and midwifery have historically offered great opportunities for professional development and community service. Training women in this field is not only practical, but essential for ensuring access to healthcare for Afghan women and children.

“The suspension of education in these critical areas further undermines the country’s ability to address its healthcare challenges, putting countless lives at risk.”

The United Nations Population Fund released a report in August revealing that Afghanistan already lacks 18,000 midwives to meet national healthcare needs. This gap in numbers would only grow with women removed from the educational pool.

“The shortage is aggravated by the nation’s alarming, high maternal mortality rate – one of the worst globally,” Nehemiah points out.

“In 2023 last year, the World Health Organization reported 620 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This is a strange and very sad statistic reflecting the urgent need for skilled [nursing and midwivery] care.”

Ask God to comfort Afghan women and restore their freedoms.

Also, Nehemiah asks, “Pray for the Taliban, that God will soften their hearts and open their eyes to the harm caused by this action. May they come to repentance and recognize that only Jehovah God is the God who cares for everyone.”

 

Header photo courtesy of Leslie Reagan Bodin/Unsplash.