WHO Urges Taliban to Lift Restrictions on Female Aid Workers Post-Earthquake
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the removal of restrictions imposed by the Taliban on female aid workers in Afghanistan, aiming to facilitate their travel without male guardians and enhance healthcare access for women in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.
The September 1 magnitude 6 earthquake and its aftershocks have caused significant devastation in eastern Afghanistan, killing over 2,200 people and injuring more than 3,600.
The disaster has left thousands homeless in a country already grappling with severe aid cuts and multiple humanitarian crises since the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) is advocating for an increase in female healthcare workers to address the unique challenges faced by women seeking medical care.
Dr. Mukta Sharma, the deputy representative of WHO’s Afghanistan office, highlighted that approximately 90% of medical staff in affected areas are male, with only a small proportion being midwives and nurses, rather than doctors.
This situation is impeding healthcare delivery as many women are reluctant to interact with male medical professionals or travel alone for treatment.
The absence of female healthcare workers exacerbates these issues, making it difficult for women to access necessary care.
In response to the crisis, the WHO has requested that Taliban authorities lift restrictions on female aid workers, allowing them to operate without needing a male guardian (mahram) and to be present in areas where medical assistance is required.
Dr. Sharma expressed concern over the limited availability of female doctors due to the Taliban's ban on female students attending high school and university since their takeover.
This prohibition has severely impacted the pipeline of female healthcare professionals.
The United Nations estimates that around 11,600 pregnant women have been affected by the quakes in a country with some of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia.
Funding cuts, particularly from the US administration this year, have further weakened the already fragile health system, resulting in the closure of approximately 80 health facilities in affected areas and an additional 16 health posts being forced to shut down due to earthquake damage.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian officials are pressing for more formal exemptions that would allow a greater number of female healthcare workers to join the aid efforts, particularly in emergencies where their presence is crucial.
The WHO's advocacy aims to ensure that women receive the necessary medical care and support, especially considering the psychological trauma caused by such natural disasters.
The disaster has left thousands homeless in a country already grappling with severe aid cuts and multiple humanitarian crises since the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) is advocating for an increase in female healthcare workers to address the unique challenges faced by women seeking medical care.
Dr. Mukta Sharma, the deputy representative of WHO’s Afghanistan office, highlighted that approximately 90% of medical staff in affected areas are male, with only a small proportion being midwives and nurses, rather than doctors.
This situation is impeding healthcare delivery as many women are reluctant to interact with male medical professionals or travel alone for treatment.
The absence of female healthcare workers exacerbates these issues, making it difficult for women to access necessary care.
In response to the crisis, the WHO has requested that Taliban authorities lift restrictions on female aid workers, allowing them to operate without needing a male guardian (mahram) and to be present in areas where medical assistance is required.
Dr. Sharma expressed concern over the limited availability of female doctors due to the Taliban's ban on female students attending high school and university since their takeover.
This prohibition has severely impacted the pipeline of female healthcare professionals.
The United Nations estimates that around 11,600 pregnant women have been affected by the quakes in a country with some of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia.
Funding cuts, particularly from the US administration this year, have further weakened the already fragile health system, resulting in the closure of approximately 80 health facilities in affected areas and an additional 16 health posts being forced to shut down due to earthquake damage.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian officials are pressing for more formal exemptions that would allow a greater number of female healthcare workers to join the aid efforts, particularly in emergencies where their presence is crucial.
The WHO's advocacy aims to ensure that women receive the necessary medical care and support, especially considering the psychological trauma caused by such natural disasters.
