Afghanistan: The Taliban has further tightened restrictions on women, unofficially prohibiting male doctors and dentists from treating female patients. Even in emergencies, a male guardian (mahram) is now mandatory for women, making it difficult for them to access basic healthcare. According to a joint report by The Guardian and Jan Times, many women are being denied treatment due to an undeclared ban on male doctors treating women. Although the Taliban has not made a formal announcement, this rule is being enforced in hospitals and private clinics. Thirty-seven-year-old Farida (name changed) from Herat city is directly affected. Her family is struggling financially. When she experienced severe tooth pain, she visited a dental clinic in early July. After the dentist suggested a false tooth implant, she paid the full amount in advance. However, during the third phase of treatment, she was sent home, told she could not be treated. Two days later, the clinic informed her that male dentists could no longer treat women. Three months have passed since then, and her treatment is incomplete. The restrictions on women are not limited to healthcare. In May, officials in northern Balkh province directed government and private hospitals not to call female patients by their real names. Instead, they were told to write 'Mrs.' on prescriptions instead of the woman's name. Rahima (name changed) from Kunar province also stated that it was very difficult to get treatment for her elderly relative. The Taliban's security forces have started raiding health clinics, warning that male doctors will be jailed if female patients are found. According to a surgeon, they have been instructed not to treat female patients without a male guardian. In February, Taliban communication minister Hamdullah Nomani claimed that male doctors themselves would be considered the women's mahram during treatment. However, in practice, the opposite rule is being applied. According to Nargis (name changed), an assistant at a dental clinic in the eastern city of Jalalabad, some doctors keep a person outside the clinic to monitor when treating female patients. Her doctor even jokes about keeping an Afghan burqa (chadori) in the office so that if Taliban officials raid, she can escape by wearing it. The lack of female healthcare workers has further weakened Afghan women's access to healthcare. Since December 2024, women have been banned from studying in medical institutions and being hired as female staff in hospitals, leading to a decrease in the number of female doctors. Even the limited number of currently employed female doctors are compelled to have a male guardian with them. One female patient said that even when she went to the clinic with her father, she had to wait for hours due to the rule that male doctors could not touch female patients. Due to the Taliban's restrictions, Afghan women now have limited treatment options. They have to seek treatment secretly, risking themselves and the doctor, receive treatment from inadequately trained female health workers, or live with their illness. The ban on the production and appointment of female doctors, along with the obstruction of treatment by male doctors, has put the basic health rights of women in Afghanistan in serious crisis.
Read full story at source ( english.ratopati.com )
