In a stark illustration of the Taliban’s tightening grip on women’s rights, female patients in Afghanistan are now being denied medical treatment by male doctors unless a male guardian or mahram is present. The restriction, which has not been officially announced, has spread across the country and is reportedly enforced by Taliban security forces through raids and threats of imprisonment.
One of the most affected is 37‑year‑old Farida, who returned to Herat from Iran earlier this year with her family. After years of untreated dental decay, she sought help at a local clinic in Bakrabad. The dentist advised that several teeth needed extraction and replacement with implants or dentures, and a treatment plan was drafted that required multiple visits and upfront payment.
During the third appointment, when the implants were to be fitted, the clinic staff informed Farida that they could not proceed. “We cannot treat you right now. Go home, and we will call you ourselves because a problem has come up,” the dentist said. After returning home, Farida was unable to eat or drink properly. Two days later, the clinic called her back to explain that a new order from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice had barred male dentists from treating female patients. They promised to call her if the situation changed, but three months later, her treatment remains unfinished.
Medical professionals across Afghanistan report that the ban is being enforced through Taliban security forces. Male practitioners are warned that they will be imprisoned if they treat female patients without a mahram present. In many provinces, doctors have received direct orders from the Taliban to refrain from examining women, even in emergency situations.
These developments have left many Afghan women in desperate and absurd situations. With limited access to care, women are forced to travel long distances, endure pain, and risk their health for the chance of receiving treatment. The situation underscores the broader impact of Taliban policies on women’s health and the urgent need for international attention and support.
Source: The Guardian World
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Editorial note: This is an original news report prepared from the attributed source material with AI assistance. It is not a reproduction or translation of the original article.
