Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, on Thursday expressed deep concern over Taliban’s ban on women’s medical education, saying that the “unjustifiable” decision must be reversed.
“Appalled by [the] reported ban on women’s medical education in Afghanistan, which further violates women’s and girls’ rights to health, education, and work,” Bennett said in a statement posted on social media.
Describing the decision as “inexplicable and unjustifiable,” Bennett emphasized the broad societal impact of such a ban. “This announcement will have a devastating impact on the entire population if implemented and must be reversed,” he said.
Rights and health under threat
The Taliban have faced mounting international criticism for their restrictive policies targeting women and girls, which include barring them from higher education and many professional fields. The reported ban on medical education comes amid a severe healthcare crisis in Afghanistan, where cultural norms often prevent male doctors from treating female patients, making female medical professionals essential.
The potential implementation of this policy could exacerbate the country’s already fragile health system, leaving millions of women and children without adequate care and reversing progress made in maternal and child health over the past two decades.
Bennett joined a growing chorus of international voices urging the Taliban to abandon the decision. Advocates warn that denying women access to medical training not only violates fundamental rights but also jeopardizes the health and well-being of the nation as a whole.
