Afghanistan’s restrictions on women are becoming a public health emergency

Five years after the Taliban's return to power, restrictions on Afghan girls and women have continued to deepen. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are prohibited from attending school beyond the sixth grade and women are banned from higher education. According to UNESCO in 2026, approximately 2.4 million girls are excluded from secondary education. In addition to education bans, women face restrictions on employment, freedom of movement, and participation in public life. In December 2024, women and girls were barred from studying at public and private medical institutes, including nursing and midwifery training. The suspension of women's medical education is already reducing the availability of female health professionals.