The closure of midwifery and semi- medical training centers in Afghanistan has left countless young women in despair, robbing them of the opportunity to pursue their dreams and serve their communities. These restrictions have not only derailed their careers but also threatened the future of healthcare for Afghan women and children.
Tehmina Uzma
Dreams Blocked Twice
Tehmina Uzma, a midwifery student from Kabul, has experienced the heartbreak of being denied education not once but twice under Taliban rule. Initially an economics student, she shifted to semi-medical studies in early 2022 after universities were shut to female students. By her third semester, in end-2024, the Taliban issued another decree closing semi-medical institutions to women, forcing her to abandon her studies yet again.
“The decision to ban women from education has not only stolen our dreams but also affected our mental health in ways that are hard to describe,” Tehmina shares. “It’s like being trapped in a cage with no way out. Half of society—women has been silenced and immobilized.”
She emphasizes the broader societal impact of such policies, adding, “If women can’t study, it’s not just their futures that are destroyed—it’s the entire nation’s progress that’s halted. A society cannot move forward with half its population paralyzed.”
Despite the challenges, Tehmina continues to advocate for change. “Education is not just a right but a necessity. Midwives play a vital role in saving lives, and we cannot abandon that responsibility.”
Farishta Seddiqi
A Lifeline for Mothers Cut Short
Farishta Seddiqi, also from Kabul, was in her third semester of midwifery training when the Taliban closed down non-medical and semi-medical institutions at the end of 2024. For her, the decision represents a national crisis, as Afghanistan already suffers from one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world.
“This decision isn’t just about us as students—it’s about the countless mothers and babies who will suffer without trained midwives to care for them,” she explains. “Afghanistan desperately needs female healthcare providers, but the government has slammed the door on that possibility.”
Farishta highlights the psychological toll the ban has taken on her and her peers. “Many of my classmates feel this is the death of their dreams. We worked so hard, only to have everything snatched away.” She adds, “This isn’t just about education. It’s about survival. Without midwives, the risks during childbirth grow exponentially, and lives will be lost. We are ready to serve, but we need the chance to learn and prepare ourselves for that role.”
Madina Azimi
A Nation’s Health in Jeopardy
For Madina Azimi, a third-semester midwifery student, the Taliban’s decision to close midwifery centers at the end of 2024 was devastating. She recalls vividly the day she saw the gates to her institute locked.
“It felt like the end of the world for us, Walking to the institute that morning and seeing other girls turned away was heartbreaking. It wasn’t just our loss—it was a tragedy for the entire community.” Azimi said.
Madina points out that Afghanistan’s health system is already fragile, with many mothers and infants dying due to a lack of proper medical care.
“Midwives are critical to addressing these issues,” she says. “Without female healthcare workers, the lives of Afghan women and children are at risk. Education is the only way to save them.”
She also describes the mental health impact of the closures. “We live in constant uncertainty, wondering if we’ll ever be able to return to our studies. Education was our only hope for a better future—for ourselves and for our country.”
Madina, like many others, calls on the international community to intervene. “We need support to break these barriers. The world must recognize that this isn’t just an issue for Afghan women—it’s an issue for humanity.”
A Healthcare Crisis in the Making
Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest globally, with an estimated 620 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to WHO data from 2021. The ban on midwifery training not only disrupts the lives of aspiring students but also worsens the healthcare crisis in the country. Female healthcare workers, especially midwives, are essential in a society where cultural norms often prevent women from seeking care from male providers.
The Taliban’s restrictions, particularly the bans imposed in 2022, 2023 and 2024, have silenced the voices of women who could have been the backbone of Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The stories of Tehmina, Farishta, and Madina are not just individual tragedies—they are a reflection of a nation’s loss.
