{"id":49354,"date":"2024-12-05T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/afghanistan-un-condemns-taliban-ban-on-women-attending-medical-classes\/"},"modified":"2024-12-05T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T12:00:00","slug":"afghanistan-un-condemns-taliban-ban-on-women-attending-medical-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=49354","title":{"rendered":"Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban ban on women attending medical classes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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OHCHR Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani described the new directive, which reportedly took effect on Tuesday, as \u201cyet another direct blow\u201d by the de facto authorities against Afghan women and girls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is profoundly discriminatory, short-sighted and puts the lives of women and girls at risk in multiple ways.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n
Afghanistan already suffers from one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and there are deep concerns that that the ban would further erode women\u2019s precarious access to healthcare.<\/p>\n
It will also prevent a new generation of nurses and midwives from receiving training.<\/p>\n
Under Taliban rules, male medical staff are prohibited from treating women unless accompanied by a male relative, making the presence of female healthcare workers critical.<\/p>\n
Ms. Shamdasani noted that the new directive not only blocks the remaining path for Afghan women to pursue higher education but also undermines the country\u2019s overall healthcare system.<\/p>\n
Urging the de facto authorities to repeal the harmful directive, she stressed: \u201cIt is high time women and girls\u2019 human rights are ensured, in line with Afghanistan\u2019s international human rights obligations.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n
Stunted development<\/h2>\n
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also expressed deep concerns over the directive, stating that, it posed \u201cfurther restrictions\u201d on women and girls\u2019 rights to education and access to healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, it will have a detrimental impact on Afghanistan\u2019s healthcare system and on the country\u2019s development,<\/strong>\u201d the Mission said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Inexplicable and unjustifiable<\/h2>\n
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur \u2013 or independent expert \u2013 on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, described the ban as \u201cinexplicable and unjustifiable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c[It will] have devastating impact on entire population if implemented and must be reversed,\u201d he said in a post on the social media platform X.<\/p>\nRELATED INTERVIEW: \u2018Do not forget Afghanistan\u2019, says independent rights expert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Appointed and mandated by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, Mr. Bennett serves in an individual capacity, independent of any government and the United Nations. He is not UN staff and does not draw a salary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n