Taliban unofficially bans male doctors from treating women in Afghanistan

Critical situation with access to dental care

Unofficial restrictions imposed by the Taliban movement are in effect in Afghanistan, placing women in a desperate situation when attempting to obtain medical care. The Guardian reports that male doctors are prohibited from treating female patients, creating absurd obstacles for women who require treatment.

The story of 37-year-old Farida illustrates this problem. One night, the woman woke up with unbearable toothache, which intensified over the following days. "My teeth were ruined over the years. The molars on both sides were severely damaged. I could not sleep at night and could barely eat," she said.

Earlier this year, Farida returned from Iran to the city of Herat in the west of the country with her family. Like many other returned migrants, it was extremely difficult for them to find work and a source of income. Under such difficult conditions, a visit to a doctor became a luxury, but the pain forced Farida to turn to a dental clinic in the Bakrabad district in early July.

During the initial examination, the dentist found that several teeth would have to be extracted, and implants or prosthetics would need to be installed in their place. A treatment plan was drawn up for the patient, which provided for several visits and full prepayment for all services.

However, during the third visit, when the installation of implants was planned, the clinic staff had to inform Farida: "We cannot treat you now. Go home, we will call you ourselves, as a certain problem has arisen."

Returning home, the woman could not eat or drink normally. Two days later, she called the clinic, where she was informed that it was no longer possible to complete the treatment. "An order came from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice: male dentists are no longer allowed to treat female patients. If the situation changes, we will call you." Three months have passed, but Farida's treatment remains unfinished.

Forced implementation of bans by security forces

Although there has been no official announcement of a ban on male dentists treating women, the restrictions have likely spread throughout the country. This is evidenced by media publications and interviews that The Guardian and Zan Times conducted with women and doctors.

Dentists note that this ban is being forcibly implemented by the Taliban's security forces. They conduct raids and warn male doctors that if female patients are found in their offices, they face imprisonment. In most provinces, male medical workers have received orders from the Taliban prohibiting the examination of female patients.

According to doctors, they are prohibited from conducting examinations or providing emergency care to women, except under certain conditions: for example, in the presence of a male guardian (mahram) or if certain procedures are performed by nurses.

"We are forbidden to directly examine female patients because we are not their mahrams. And it does not matter how simple the procedure is or how critical the patient's condition is," says Samim, a surgeon who has worked for 15 years in a state hospital in northern Afghanistan.

Absurd requirements and restrictions in the regions

The constantly tightening bans are reaching new limits of absurdity. Thus, in Balkh province in the north of the country, officials banned calling female patients by their real names. It is reported that in May, the authorities ordered all hospitals, private offices, and clinics to use the word "Bibi" instead of women's names. They emphasised that this instruction should be followed even in medical prescriptions.

Rahima from Kunar province says that one of her relatives, an elderly woman, had to travel hundreds of miles to the city of Kandahar to get her teeth treated, as her son ran a dental clinic there. The woman's husband stated that all doctors in Kunar know him, so a visit to a male dentist would be a disgrace for her.

Restrictions on hiring and training women in the medical field

The restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women's access to medical care coincide in time with the ban on women themselves becoming doctors. Since December 2024, women have lost the right to study in medical educational institutions, and doctors in hospitals have confirmed that the Taliban has forbidden them to hire women.

The Taliban also requires that female doctors who continue to practice be accompanied by a mahram. One patient said that she had to wait for an appointment with a male doctor at a facility with no female staff, although she had come with her father. She was told that the doctor was waiting for another patient to arrive with her mahram: in case of problems, that woman could help, as the doctor himself is forbidden to touch the patient.