The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has made no secret of its intention to remove women from civic life. Since returning to power in 2021, they have imposed more and greater restrictions on women and girls, from taking away girls’ rights to education to taking away the voices of women and girls, literally, by forbidding them from speaking outside of their homes.

In spite of this, midwives in Afghanistan have continued to support women through pregnancy, labour and birth. Despite being spread perilously thin and placing themselves at risk, they have sought to support the safety and welfare of women.

On Tuesday (3 December), the Taliban regime issued a new edict: to close all midwifery education with immediate effect. Students arriving at education institutions in Afghanistan were turned away and told not to return. No more midwives will be trained.

We are currently in the middle of the 16 days of activism, an international campaign which seeks an end to violence against women and girls. While they may not be directly raising a hand to Afghan women, through this latest step, the Taliban regime is putting thousands of women in harm’s way. Afghanistan already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. This diktat will condemn many more women and babies to death.

The Royal College of Midwives stands with student midwives, midwives and future midwives in Afghanistan, and with the women they continue to support, despite the risks. We call on the international community to intervene and use all means necessary to give the women of Afghanistan access to the essential healthcare they need.