Afghanistan cricket superstar Rashid Khan on Wednesday urged the Taliban government to reconsider its ban on medical training for women in the country.
On Monday, Taliban leader Hibtullah Akhundzada issued a directive banning women from attending medical and semi-professional institutes, which were considered one of the last viable options for higher education for women in Afghanistan from the end of 2021. The Taliban government banned secondary education for girls. 6th standard education in September 2021 before the colleges close in 2022.
“The Taliban has also banned women in some provinces from being treated by male medical professionals, which means that this new order, halting the training of new female health workers, will be forced to cause unnecessary pain, suffering, illness and death. Going without health care, because there are female health workers to treat them. No,” Human Rights Watch reported Tuesday.
Responding to the Taliban decision, Rashid emphasized that “education occupies a central place in Islamic teachings, emphasizing the pursuit of knowledge for both men and women.”
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β Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) December 4, 2024
“It is with deep sadness and disappointment that I reflect on the recent closure of educational and medical institutions for the sisters and mothers of Afghanistan. This decision has profoundly affected not only their future but also the wider fabric of our society. The pain and suffering expressed through the network serves as a poignant reminder of the struggle they had to go through. Afghanistan, our beloved motherland, is at a critical juncture,” Rashid added.
Reports say that the Taliban’s decision will only worsen the situation in Afghanistan, which is facing an acute shortage of medical professionals.
βThe country is in dire need of professionals in every field, especially in the medical field. The acute shortage of female doctors and nurses is particularly worrisome, as it directly affects women’s health care and dignity. Our sisters and mothers need to have access to care provided by medical professionals who understand their needs. I strongly appeal to reconsider this decision so that Afghan girls can regain their right to education and contribute to the development of the nation. Providing education to all is not only a social responsibility, but a moral obligation deeply rooted in our faith and values,β added the 26-year-old.
Rashid has emerged as Afghanistan’s leading sporting icon in the last decade. The spin wizard led his country to a historic ICC T20 World Cup semi-final berth in the West Indies earlier this year.