MSF Reports 28% Decline in Women Seeking Medical Care in Herat After Burqa Mandate

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has reported a 28% drop in female visits to its hospitals in Herat since the Taliban mandated the wearing of burqas for women and girls in the province…

The Sudden Decree and Decline in Healthcare Access

Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) released a statement on its website addressing the severe impact of the Taliban’s new regulation on women’s access to healthcare services in Herat province. The organization noted that there has been a significant decrease in the number of women seeking medical treatment at its facilities following the enforcement of mandatory hijab for women.

Women from Herat have reported to the media that for about ten days now, the Taliban’s Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has instructed women and girls to refrain from leaving their homes without wearing a burqa.

The Direct Impact of Restrictions on Essential Services

In its announcement, MSF emphasized that this sudden decree adds further constraints to women’s participation in everyday life. The statement also highlighted that this decision exacerbates existing barriers that already limit women’s access to essential healthcare services. Research conducted by the organization indicates that between November 5th and 7th, female visits to MSF hospitals decreased by 28%. This statistic reflects the direct consequences of the Taliban’s restrictions on the physical and mental health of women in Herat.

The Ongoing Tightening of Restrictions on Women’s Lives

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed extensive and continuous restrictions on virtually all aspects of Afghan women’s and girls’ lives, from education to daily mobility and employment. These measures have consistently drawn widespread criticism and protests from international human rights organizations.