Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have expressed strong disapproval over the Taliban’s recent decision to prevent women from studying health-related fields, including nursing and midwifery. The cricketers called the move “heartbreaking” and urged the Taliban to reverse the decision, emphasizing Islam’s teachings on education for all. The decision follows a broader trend of restricting women’s education in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

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• Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi condemn Taliban’s decision to ban women from studying health-related fields like nursing and midwifery.
• Both cricketers describe the decision as “heartbreaking” and call for reconsideration.
• Rashid Khan highlights Islam’s emphasis on education for both men and women and calls the ban a violation of Afghan women’s rights.
• Rashid stresses the urgent need for female doctors and nurses, especially to serve women’s health needs in Afghanistan.
• Mohammad Nabi also criticizes the move, calling it “deeply unjust” and urges the Taliban to allow girls to study and contribute to the nation’s development.
• The ban is the latest in a series of educational restrictions imposed by the Taliban since regaining control in 2021.
• UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) expresses grave concern, saying the ban would severely harm healthcare and overall development in Afghanistan.
• The European Union condemns the Taliban’s actions, calling it a violation of women’s rights and further limiting access to education.
• Taliban’s decision reportedly follows an order from the supreme leader, although the government has not officially confirmed the ban.
• The ban would affect both public and private institutions offering medical courses to women, with exams scheduled before the new rule takes effect.