Adding to their long list of severe restrictions since coming into power in 2021, the Taliban are now banning women in Afghanistan from training as nurses and midwives.
This ban is the latest in a series of edicts by the Taliban that prevent women from entering the public sphere. Women have already been banned from working in government or private jobs, leaving their homes without a male escort, or reading, singing, or speaking in public, to name a few.
Reacting to this steady increase in legal discrimination against Afghan women, the global community has condemned the Taliban’s actions as ‘gender apartheid’.
Before this latest ban on medical training, access to education had already been significantly curbed, with girls barred from attending school beyond sixth grade, or going to university.
‘The situation in Afghanistan has worsened considerably,’ Medina, whose husband was murdered for his Christian faith, told Open Doors UK. ‘With each passing day, the Taliban is making life increasingly difficult for people. Economic problems have surged, leaving many without basic necessities, like bread. Women, especially, are enduring incredibly harsh conditions.’
Since 2021, most house churches, including those that met in secret, have been forced to shut down, with Christians either fleeing or going into hiding, according to Open Doors.
But the gospel is still going out.
‘Yes, as more laws are enforced against women, we see some have grown weary of Islam and are turning to Christ,’ said Dina, another Christian widow who lost her husband to the Taliban. ‘We are continually working to build relationships with non-believing women, sharing the message of eternal life, and guiding them towards faith in Christ.’
‘Many have lost their joy and hope, especially as their daughters are being denied education,’ said Afghan Christian Khada. ‘Yet those who have found faith in Christ hold onto hope. They believe that one day things will change, and that God will deliver them from this oppression.’
