Taliban Halts Medical Education for Afghan Women

Women training as midwives and nurses in Afghanistan have been ordered not to return to classes, effectively closing their last educational avenue under the Taliban regime. This move aligns with the Taliban's broader policy restricting female education since August 2021. The closure impacts an estimated 17,000 women in training and raises concerns about the future of women's healthcare in Afghanistan, which already suffers from a high maternal mortality rate. The Taliban have not officially confirmed the order, but sources indicate it is in effect.