Amnesty International on Tuesday said the Taliban are responsible for a decline in humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, citing the group’s ban on women working with the United Nations and aid organisations.
In a statement, the rights group expressed sorrow over the deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan and extended condolences to the families of the victims. It said that protecting human rights must remain central to crisis response.
The criticism came after local sources reported that at least six pregnant women had died in Kunar province due to a shortage of female medical staff and limited hospital facilities.
The UN Population Fund has previously warned that Afghanistan urgently needs 18,000 skilled midwives and cautioned that many women’s lives are at risk if the gap is not filled.
Reports have also linked Taliban restrictions to high female casualties in past disasters. Following last year’s deadly earthquake in Herat, the United Nations said more than 90 percent of victims were women and children. Sky News, citing survivors, reported that some women died because they feared leaving their homes without a hijab or male guardian.
The Telegraph, quoting rescue workers, said the Taliban’s rules contributed to women being “buried alive” during that quake.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have barred girls and women from schools, universities and many workplaces, including health care. The bans have deepened health challenges for women and girls and left many medical facilities without female staff.
