Breaking Barriers: The Emergence Of Female Doctors In Afghanistan

There are female doctors in Afghanistan, but their numbers are dwindling. The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has resulted in the implementation of highly conservative Islamic policies that restrict women's rights, including their access to education and employment. Despite the Taliban's efforts to train female doctors to align with their goal of gender segregation in healthcare, their policies limiting girls' education and banning women from working in most sectors will inevitably reduce the number of female doctors in the country.

The Taliban's training of female doctors

The Taliban's Motivation for Training Female Doctors

The Taliban, who control Afghanistan, have a highly conservative Islamic ideology that seeks to segregate women in various aspects of society. In line with this ideology, the Taliban has mandated that female patients should be treated by female doctors whenever possible. This policy has been implemented in some hospitals and is awaiting approval from the Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, to be formalized into law. As a result, the Taliban has been training female doctors to meet this need for women's healthcare providers.

The Impact of Educational Restrictions

The Taliban's commitment to training female doctors stands in contrast to their broader restrictions on girls' education and women's participation in the workforce. They have barred girls from attending secondary school and prohibited women from enrolling in certain university subjects. These educational restrictions will undoubtedly limit the number of women who can become doctors in the future. Additionally, the Taliban's requirement that women travel with male guardians has made it difficult for female doctors to practice medicine.

The Current State of Healthcare in Afghanistan

The healthcare system in Afghanistan is facing significant challenges. The country already struggled with a shortage of medical professionals before the Taliban took control, and the situation has worsened due to sanctions and the freezing of foreign aid. The World Health Organization reported that only 17% of Afghanistan's healthcare facilities supported by the World Bank were fully functional as of September 2021. The maternal mortality rate is among the highest in the world, and malnutrition has contributed to an increase in premature births and pregnancy complications.

The Role of Female Doctors in Afghanistan

Female doctors play a critical role in providing healthcare to women in Afghanistan, especially in maternity and gynecological care. Religious and cultural norms often prevent women from seeking treatment from male doctors, particularly for sensitive gynecological issues. Female doctors are, therefore, essential to ensuring that women have access to adequate healthcare. However, the limited number of female doctors and the restrictions imposed by the Taliban have made it challenging to meet the healthcare needs of the female population.

The Future of Female Doctors in Afghanistan

The Taliban's efforts to train female doctors and their support for residency programs in hospitals are seen as a rare instance of the group promoting women's education and employment. However, their overall restrictive policies on women's education and participation in the workforce are narrowing the pipeline for future female doctors. The contradiction between the need for female doctors and the limitations imposed by the Taliban creates a complex situation for women's healthcare in Afghanistan.

The impact of the Taliban's rule on women's access to healthcare

Historical context

During the Taliban's first rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, the regime imposed a series of oppressive measures on women and girls. One of the most disturbing restrictions limited women's access to healthcare. Female healthcare workers were barred from entering hospitals, leaving many hospitals critically short-staffed. Male doctors were often unable to diagnose or treat female patients effectively, as they were prohibited from examining their bodies. These measures, combined with the requirement for women to have a male chaperone when leaving the house, made it extremely difficult for women to access medical care. The quality of healthcare available to women during this period was also insufficient, with limited facilities, equipment, and medication. As a result, maternal mortality rates were alarmingly high, and women's mental health suffered significantly.

Current situation

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have implemented discriminatory policies that restrict women's access to healthcare. One of the most notable restrictions is the requirement for women to have a "mahram," or male chaperone, when seeking medical treatment. This has prevented many women from receiving the healthcare they need, particularly in emergencies. The Taliban has also segregated healthcare facilities, with female patients only allowed to be treated by female doctors and male patients by male doctors. This policy has further limited women's access to healthcare, as there is already a shortage of female healthcare professionals in the country. The economic crisis caused by the freezing of Afghanistan's central bank assets and the withdrawal of foreign aid has also impacted healthcare services, with hospitals facing shortages of essential supplies and staff.

Future prospects

The future of women's healthcare under the Taliban remains uncertain. On the one hand, the Taliban has expressed a commitment to promoting women's education and employment in the healthcare sector, particularly in fields like gynaecology and obstetrics. This could potentially increase the number of female healthcare professionals in the country. However, at the same time, the Taliban has imposed restrictions on women's education and employment, banning girls from secondary schools and prohibiting women from working in most sectors except healthcare and education. These contradictory policies create confusion and make it difficult to predict the long-term impact on women's access to healthcare.

The role of women in Afghan hospitals

Women in Afghanistan have long faced barriers to accessing healthcare, and the situation has only worsened under the Taliban regime. Despite this, women continue to play a critical role in the country's healthcare system, both as medical professionals and patients.

Healthcare for Women in Afghanistan

Before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, women and girls already faced challenges in receiving adequate healthcare. A report by Human Rights Watch in May 2021 highlighted an "unmet need" for modern contraception, prenatal and postnatal care, and cancer treatment, among other essential health services. The country was also battling epidemics of polio, measles, malaria, dengue, cholera, and COVID-19, which further strained the healthcare system.

Under the Taliban, restrictions on women's rights and freedom of movement have made it even more difficult for them to access healthcare. A Taliban mandate, for example, prohibits women from travelling more than 45 miles without a male relative, which can make it hard for them to reach medical facilities. There have also been reports of Taliban officials preventing doctors from treating women without a male guardian.

The Role of Women as Healthcare Providers

Despite the Taliban's repressive rules, women continue to work in Afghanistan's healthcare sector. In fact, they are critical to ensuring the health system functions. Eloi Fillion, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) Afghanistan delegation, emphasised the importance of female health staff, stating that "without them, the health system simply would not work."

Female doctors, nurses, and midwives are especially crucial in maternity care. In a Kabul maternity hospital, Jagona Faizli, a gynaecologist and mother of three, shared that the hospital used to have male staff, but they were "kicked out" by the Taliban as it is mostly a maternity hospital. She added, "Today it's women working for women."

Female healthcare providers offer a sense of freedom and comfort to their patients, who often share their marriage difficulties and seek advice. Additionally, the presence of women in the healthcare system is essential for cultural reasons, as some families prefer female relatives to be treated by women.

However, the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education will inevitably impact the future supply of female healthcare professionals. With secondary schools for girls closed, there will be no classes of women graduating from high school or entering training programs, which will result in a shortage of female doctors, nurses, and midwives in the coming years.

Women in Afghanistan face significant challenges in accessing healthcare and pursuing medical careers due to the Taliban's restrictive policies. However, they continue to play a vital role in the country's healthcare system, and their contribution is essential to the well-being of the Afghan people, especially in maternity care. Ensuring that women can access education and employment opportunities is crucial for the development of a functioning and inclusive healthcare system in Afghanistan.

The barriers to Afghan women becoming doctors

There are many barriers to Afghan women becoming doctors. Firstly, there is a lack of access to education. The Taliban has barred girls from attending secondary school and university, meaning they are unable to obtain the qualifications necessary to train as doctors. This has resulted in a "narrowing pipeline" for future female doctors.

Even before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country was experiencing a widespread shortage of medical professionals. This issue has been exacerbated by the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education, which will inevitably lead to a lack of female doctors in the coming years.

Another barrier is the Taliban's requirement that women can only be treated by female doctors. This has caused issues in situations where there are no female doctors available, and female patients have had to go untreated as a result. It has also made it difficult for female doctors to practice, as there is a limited pool of female health workers.

The Taliban's rules regarding gender segregation and the requirement for women to be accompanied by a male guardian when travelling have also made it difficult for female doctors to work. In some cases, female doctors have been prevented from treating male patients and have faced harassment and violence when attempting to do so.

In addition, the Taliban's crackdown on women's rights and freedoms has led to a sense of fear and uncertainty among women in Afghanistan, including those working in the medical field. Many female doctors have fled the country, and those who remain are often too scared to leave their homes to go to work. This has resulted in a lack of female doctors available to treat patients.

Finally, the economic crisis and lack of foreign aid in Afghanistan have impacted the health system, making it difficult for women to access the education and resources necessary to become doctors.

The impact of the Taliban's rule on female doctors

The Taliban's rule has had a significant impact on female doctors in Afghanistan. On the one hand, the Taliban has expressed a desire to segregate women and, therefore, has been training female doctors to care for female patients. On the other hand, their policies and restrictions have limited women's access to education and healthcare, hindering their ability to become doctors and practice medicine effectively.

Firstly, the Taliban's educational restrictions have reduced the number of women who can pursue a career in medicine. By barring girls from secondary school and prohibiting women from enrolling in certain university subjects, the Taliban has disrupted the pipeline of future female doctors. This is especially detrimental given the existing shortage of medical professionals in Afghanistan.

Secondly, the Taliban's rules around gender segregation and the requirement for women to be accompanied by a male guardian have made it difficult for female doctors to practice. Female doctors have faced challenges in travelling to work and treating male patients. The interpretation and enforcement of these rules vary, leading to confusion and fear among female doctors, with some choosing to leave the profession or the country.

Additionally, the Taliban's policies have impacted the ability of female doctors to receive a salary. With the Taliban cutting off foreign aid and freezing the banking system, female doctors, like other healthcare workers, have gone months without pay, forcing some to rely on organisations like the Red Cross for financial support.

Furthermore, the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights and freedoms have had a detrimental effect on the mental health of female doctors. They have reported feelings of isolation, fear, anxiety, and hopelessness due to the limitations on their careers and the constant threat of violence and harassment from the Taliban.

Lastly, the Taliban's rules around dress codes have made it challenging for female doctors to practice medicine effectively. For example, the requirement to wear a burqa or a long dress under a white uniform can hinder movement and vision, making it difficult to treat patients, especially in emergency situations.

In conclusion, while the Taliban has expressed a desire to train female doctors to align with their goal of gender segregation, their restrictive policies have negatively impacted female doctors in Afghanistan. These women face barriers to entering the medical field, practicing medicine, receiving a salary, and maintaining their mental health.

Frequently asked questions