The Mental Health Crisis Of Afghan Women Under Taliban Rule

The Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on their mental health. Women have reported feelings of fear, anxiety, hopelessness, insomnia, and a deep sense of loss and helplessness. The Taliban's policies have restricted women's access to work, healthcare, and education, and their freedom of movement and expression. Women have also faced intimidation and threats from the Taliban, which has left them feeling unsafe and insecure. The Taliban's rules around dress and conduct have affected women's daily lives and limited their career options. The Taliban's rollback of women's rights has had a negative impact on the country's economic recovery and has led to international condemnation. The future for women in Afghanistan looks uncertain, and there are concerns that their rights and freedoms will continue to be restricted under the Taliban regime.

Women's mental health consequences of Taliban rule

The Taliban's treatment of women has been internationally condemned as misogynistic and violent. The restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 have had a devastating impact on their mental health, with reports of fear, anxiety, hopelessness, insomnia, and a deep sense of loss and helplessness.

Loss of freedom and livelihood

Women in Afghanistan have lost their freedom of movement, with severe restrictions placed on their ability to work, access education, and participate in public life. The Taliban's rules dictate what women must wear, how they should travel, and even what kind of cell phones they can use. As a result, many women have lost their jobs and their primary source of income, leading to financial insecurity and a sense of hopelessness. The loss of livelihood and the inability to provide for their families have taken a toll on the mental health of Afghan women.

Insecurity and isolation

The Taliban's dismantling of the formal police force and the Women's Affairs Ministry has created a sense of insecurity among women, who fear intimidation and violence from the Taliban. The restrictions on women's dress and conduct have further isolated them, limiting their social interactions and support systems. The loss of social connections and the inability to leave the house without a male chaperone have contributed to feelings of isolation and loneliness, negatively impacting their mental health.

Trauma and fear

The Taliban's harsh rules and punishments, including public floggings and executions, have created an atmosphere of fear among women. The constant threat of violence and arbitrary arrests has traumatized women, affecting their mental health and sense of safety. The Taliban's restrictions on education and employment have also caused trauma, as women see their dreams and aspirations crumble. The loss of access to education and the inability to pursue careers have left many women feeling hopeless and depressed.

Lack of access to healthcare

The Taliban's restrictions on women's access to healthcare have also contributed to their mental health issues. The lack of female healthcare professionals and the difficulty in finding female doctors have made it challenging for women to seek medical help, particularly for mental health issues. The fear of being punished for seeking healthcare without a male chaperone has further exacerbated the problem.

Uncertain future

The uncertainty about the future under Taliban rule has also taken a toll on women's mental health. The constant fear of new restrictions and the lack of clarity about their rights and freedoms have created anxiety and stress. The sense of not knowing what to expect and the feeling of powerlessness to change their situation have negatively impacted their mental well-being.

In conclusion, the Taliban's rule has had severe mental health consequences for women in Afghanistan. The loss of freedom, livelihood, and access to education and healthcare, coupled with insecurity, isolation, and fear, have all contributed to a decline in their mental health. The international community must address these issues and find ways to support and protect the mental well-being of Afghan women under Taliban rule.

Women's loss of income and employment

The Taliban's rule has had a devastating impact on Afghan women, with many losing their jobs and income.

The Taliban have barred women from universities and many workplaces, with the exception of primary education or healthcare. This has resulted in many aid organisations pausing operations in Afghanistan, and donors contemplating cuts to assistance.

In the past, women made up nearly 22% of the Afghan workforce, with numbers steadily growing. However, a report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in January 2023 found that Afghan women's employment levels fell by an estimated 16% in the third quarter of 2021, compared with 6% for men.

Afghan women entrepreneurs have also been affected. One entrepreneur, who previously employed over 80 people across three textile workshops, now only employs around 30 people. She said:

> "We had different types of contracts, we could easily pay a salary to our master tailors and other workers, but currently we have no contracts."

The economic crisis is hitting the entire country, but the effect is disproportionately felt by women. Enterprises are struggling to stay afloat, and the Taliban will only allow women to work subject to their interpretation of Islamic law. This has prompted some to leave their jobs out of fear of punishment.

The Taliban takeover has also meant that women have been sent home from their jobs in the public sector, with only those whose jobs cannot be done by men allowed to work. This has cost the economy up to $1bn.

Afghan women have made significant inroads into various sectors over the past 20 years. However, with the Taliban back in power, hard-won gains in women's rights have been quickly reversed.

Women's restricted access to healthcare

Womens restricted access to healthcare

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has severely impacted the lives of Afghan women and girls, with new research highlighting the devastating effects of their policies on healthcare, education, and employment. The group's interpretation of Islamic law and efforts to impose gender segregation have resulted in limited access to female healthcare professionals, restricted mobility, and a lack of female representation in the Taliban government. These factors, combined with the ongoing economic crisis and food insecurity, have created significant barriers to healthcare for women and girls, further exacerbating the situation.

Barriers to Healthcare

One of the most significant barriers to healthcare for Afghan women is the limited number of female healthcare professionals. The Taliban's ban on women working in most sectors, except for health and education, has resulted in a shortage of female doctors, nurses, and midwives. This shortage is exacerbated by the existing gender segregation in healthcare facilities, where female patients are often only allowed to be treated by female doctors. As a result, women may have to travel long distances or wait for extended periods to receive treatment from female healthcare providers.

The Taliban's restrictions on women's mobility and their interpretation of Islamic dress codes further hinder access to healthcare. Women are required to have a male chaperone, or "mahram," when seeking medical care, which can be challenging for those without a male relative or those whose mahram is unavailable or unwilling to accompany them. Additionally, the Taliban's strict dress codes, which include the mandatory wearing of the burqa, can make it difficult for women to travel and access healthcare facilities.

The economic crisis and lack of financial resources also pose significant barriers to healthcare for women. The loss of income, rising prices, and financial difficulties faced by families have made it challenging for women to afford transportation, medications, and other healthcare-related expenses. The lack of liquidity and the freezing of the banking system have further restricted their ability to access and pay for healthcare services.

Impact on Mental Health

The limited access to healthcare has severe consequences for the mental health and well-being of Afghan women and girls. The lack of access to basic healthcare services, including prenatal and postnatal care, cancer treatment, and mental health support, has taken a toll on their mental health. The constant fear and anxiety of being punished or harassed for non-compliance with Taliban rules, as well as the loss of educational and economic opportunities, have contributed to feelings of hopelessness, depression, and isolation.

The Taliban's restrictive policies and interpretation of Islamic law have severely limited Afghan women's access to healthcare, exacerbating the existing challenges in the country's healthcare system. The lack of female healthcare professionals, mobility restrictions, and economic crisis have created significant barriers, resulting in a decline in the overall health and well-being of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Women's restricted access to education

Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have imposed rights-violating policies that have created huge barriers to women's and girls' health and education, curtailed freedom of movement, expression, and association, and deprived many of earned income.

The Taliban have banned women and girls from secondary and higher education, and altered curricula to focus more on religious studies. They dictate what women must wear, how they should travel, workplace segregation by sex, and even what kind of cell phones women should have. They enforce these rules through intimidation and inspections.

The Taliban's return to power has made members of some ethnic and religious minorities feel more vulnerable to threats even from those not affiliated with the Taliban. The healthcare worker said a colleague who is Shia, a religious minority, was threatened by a patient's family she believed might be connected to the Taliban, who said:

> 'We will kill you, terrorize you, or get you fired from your job. They warned my colleague that they know her address.'

The Taliban's restrictions on women, difficulty discerning what they are, and arbitrary enforcement impair women's access to health care.

The Taliban's obstructive policies will have grave consequences for aid agencies and the people they serve, but the far bigger worry is whether Western donors will keep footing the bill.

No good options exist for protecting women's and girls' rights and helping millions of people suffering under Taliban rule.

Women's restricted access to technology

Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, women in Afghanistan have seen their freedoms diminish, including their access to technology. The Taliban have imposed restrictions on women's education and employment, which has limited their opportunities to engage with technology.

Internet access

Internet access in Afghanistan is rare, with only 15% of the population reporting having access in 2022. This access is heavily skewed towards men, with 25% reporting access compared to 6% of women. In particular, women in rural areas are less likely to have internet access than those in large cities or suburbs (2% vs 9%).

The lack of reliable electricity and IT infrastructure are significant barriers to internet access for all Afghans. Additionally, social norms and restrictions further limit women's access.

Mobile phones

The Taliban dictate what kind of mobile phones women should have and have restricted women from carrying smartphones. Women are told to keep simple Nokia phones that don't have many options.

Online education

Online courses and universities have provided some opportunities for Afghan women and girls to continue their education. However, initiatives like these depend on women's access to the internet, which remains rare in most of the country.

The Taliban have closed girls' high schools and barred their access to universities. As a result, many Afghan girls and women have turned to online learning as a last resort. However, they face numerous challenges, including poor internet connections and power cuts.

Employment

The Taliban have barred women from working in most sectors, with exceptions for health and education. They have also banned women from working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Other restrictions

The Taliban have imposed strict rules on women's dress and conduct, which affect every aspect of their lives. Women are required to wear burqas and long dresses and are prohibited from wearing high heels or sandals. They are also not allowed to travel more than 45-75km without a male relative.

Impact on mental health

The Taliban's restrictions on women's access to technology, education, and employment have had negative consequences for their mental health. Many women have reported feelings of insecurity, isolation, and hopelessness. They have also experienced financial difficulties due to the loss of income and increased prices for food and other essentials.

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