The V Word’s Post

The Taliban in Afghanistan has taken another significant step in the harmful oppression of women and girls. It was already the case that women are not allowed to receive medical attention from male medical professionals in large parts of the country. But at least women could receive medical help from female doctors and nurses, and could train in medicine, nursing and midwifery. This was the very last remaining educational option for girls to continue learning past the age of around 12. That's until this week, when it was announced that women can no longer study any of these subjects. Girls at med school have been now prevented from continuing their studies, and the Taliban has announced an immediate ban on women studying nursing and midwifery. Not only does it prevent women from education, careers and some semblance of financial independence, it also means that increasing numbers of women, as time goes on, simply won't be able to get proper medical help. It represents a complete lack of regard for women on so many levels. 'This new decree — banning women from nursing and midwifery training — will result in unnecessary pain, misery, sickness and death for the women forced to go without health care,' commented Sahar Fetrat of Human Rights Watch. Men are already banned from midwifery in Afghanistan, and the country is one of the most dangerous countries for women to give birth in. The UN declared in December 2023 that 12 women die each day for birth related reasons in the country, and that to ensure that women have adequate maternal care another 18,000 midwives are needed. Not allowing young women to train to make up this shortfall will surely increase the maternal mortality rate as well as cause harm and even death to many more infants during birth. This complete lack of regard for women's health and needs is appaling, and indicative of the general way that the leadership in Afghanistan view women. It also seems to be a very short-sighted strategy. If what they want is more sons and more men to fight and work, they won't achieve it without mothers and newborns getting the healthcare they need. For the women and girls of Afghanistan, their near total lack of rights, safety, access to education, opportunity and healthcare is a huge tragedy. Silent protests are being planned in various places around the UK this Saturday, you can find out more about where these are happening here: https://lnkd.in/eDSdF6Va What is happening in Afghanistan and in many conflict zones is the absolute worst end of the global crisis in violence against women and girls. What is driving all of this violence is the desire to control and dominate women, combined with seeing women and girls as inferior and disposable, objects to be owned, used and discarded. We have such a long way to go. Giving up the push for progress is not an option. #equality #vawg #16days