The European Union has expressed strong disapproval following reports that the Taliban has allegedly instructed educational institutions across Afghanistan to halt medical courses for women and girls.
According to various media sources, the Taliban’s leader supposedly issued an order mandating private and public institutions to cease offering medical courses to female students. This action, if confirmed, would further restrict educational opportunities for women in Afghanistan, who have already faced significant obstacles since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. At that time, educational access for girls was halted beyond the sixth grade, with women later being banned from attending university in December 2022.
Medical courses such as nursing and midwifery were among the limited educational avenues remaining for Afghan women, making the recent alleged order particularly detrimental. The impact of this decision is profound, as it effectively removes critical pathways for women to engage in medical and health-related professions.
Reports from institutions within Afghanistan indicate that the Taliban directed them to suspend classes until further notice, affecting women training as nurses and midwives. The European Union has condemned this development as a severe violation of fundamental human rights and an unjust attack on women’s educational access.
In its statement, the EU highlighted the broad implications of the Taliban’s action, emphasizing how it could worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis and add to the suffering of its people. The Union urged the Taliban to reconsider and reverse the reported policy immediately.
It is important to note that the Taliban has not provided confirmation or a formal response to these reports. The Public Health Ministry spokesman was also unavailable for comment, leaving the situation uncertain.
Previous actions by the Taliban have drawn international criticism, with the European Union consistently advocating for women’s rights to education as essential to Afghanistan’s development and the wellbeing of its citizens.
The EU’s condemnation underscores the international community’s concerns about the Taliban’s stance on women’s education. As Afghanistan grapples with ongoing challenges, the call for reversing restrictions on women’s educational rights remains a critical point of advocacy.
Source: Sun-sentinel
