UN urges Taliban to reconsider ban on women's medical training

The United Nations has called on the Taliban authorities to reconsider their decision to impose restrictions on women's and girls' access to medical training in Afghanistan. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric raised concerns during a daily press briefing on Wednesday, stating that the UN has been closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan.

Dujarric expressed worry over a reported directive from the de facto Taliban authorities that would prevent women and girls from attending classes at private medical institutions. Multiple media outlets have reported that the Taliban has instructed both private and public institutions to cease providing medical courses for women and girls. According to Xinhua news agency, five institutions in Afghanistan confirmed they had been ordered to close until further notice.

Dujarric warned that if implemented, the directive would further restrict the rights of women and girls to education and healthcare access, ultimately having a detrimental impact on Afghanistan's healthcare system and the country’s development. He urged the Taliban to reconsider this directive, stressing that its negative consequences would affect Afghan women, girls, and the entire population.

With IANS inputs