Maternal Mortality in Afghanistan Remains Alarmingly High Amid Restrictions on Women
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that Afghanistan continues to be among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. According to statistics released by OCHA’s Afghanistan section, approximately 600 mothers die per 100,000 live births.
On Monday, June 1, OCHA wrote on the social media platform X that access to professional care and the presence of female healthcare workers can save the lives of mothers and newborns; however, restrictions imposed on women’s participation have obstructed access to these vital services.
Afghanistan is facing a severe shortage of female doctors, midwives, and nurses, as the Taliban administration has banned the education of girls beyond the sixth grade. This decision has disrupted the training of specialized female health workers and heightened concerns about increasing maternal mortality in the coming years.
Meanwhile, population growth and the return of millions of migrants from Iran and Pakistan have placed additional pressure on the country’s health system. In many provinces and remote areas, there is not even a single female midwife or nurse, and families face serious difficulties accessing basic healthcare services.
Health experts warn that continued restrictions on women’s education and employment will further reduce women’s access to medical care, especially during pregnancy and childbirth—a situation that could have severe consequences for the health of mothers and infants.
