• Since taking over in 2021, Taliban authorities have barred women from universities and most charity jobs. All photos: Reuters
    Since taking over in 2021, Taliban authorities have barred women from universities and most charity jobs. All photos: Reuters
  • The Taliban has made exemptions in the healthcare sector
    The Taliban has made exemptions in the healthcare sector
  • Young women are training as a midwives, an initiative spearheaded by the UNHCR and a local NGO
    Young women are training as a midwives, an initiative spearheaded by the UNHCR and a local NGO
  • Forty young trainees in the province of Bamiyan are learning midwifery skills to help women in remote parts of the country where medical help is scarce
    Forty young trainees in the province of Bamiyan are learning midwifery skills to help women in remote parts of the country where medical help is scarce
  • These women are learning basic but crucial skills that could save lives
    These women are learning basic but crucial skills that could save lives
  • 'Our society is facing many problems in terms of healthcare and even with the new generation of technology we are still witnessing mothers and children dying,' a trainee says
    'Our society is facing many problems in terms of healthcare and even with the new generation of technology we are still witnessing mothers and children dying,' a trainee says
  • Each month, around 24,000 Afghan women give birth in remote rural areas without access to healthcare, according to UN figures
    Each month, around 24,000 Afghan women give birth in remote rural areas without access to healthcare, according to UN figures
  • The UN estimates an Afghan woman dies every two hours during pregnancy and childbirth
    The UN estimates an Afghan woman dies every two hours during pregnancy and childbirth
  • Doctors and aid workers say isolation can become a death sentence in remote villages
    Doctors and aid workers say isolation can become a death sentence in remote villages
  • The logistical challenges can be enormous, says Mohammad Ashraf Niazi, head of the UNHCR’s Bamiyan office
    The logistical challenges can be enormous, says Mohammad Ashraf Niazi, head of the UNHCR’s Bamiyan office
  • Mr Niazi says when the roads are blocked people even use donkeys to reach clinics
    Mr Niazi says when the roads are blocked people even use donkeys to reach clinics
  • Aziza Rahimi, 35, lost her son at birth after her husband was unable to find a car or an ambulance to transport her to hospital
    Aziza Rahimi, 35, lost her son at birth after her husband was unable to find a car or an ambulance to transport her to hospital
  • Trainee midwives are learning how to assess and guide pregnant women, deliver babies and provide post-partum care
    Trainee midwives are learning how to assess and guide pregnant women, deliver babies and provide post-partum care
  • The UNHCR says local health authorities are supportive of the project
    The UNHCR says local health authorities are supportive of the project
  • The UNHCR is hoping to expand the project to a neighbouring province in the future
    The UNHCR is hoping to expand the project to a neighbouring province in the future

World

Afghan women train as midwives for remote villages - in pictures

To mark International Women's Day, we take a closer look at a group of pioneering Afghan women

The National

March 08, 2023

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Updated: March 08, 2023, 8:03 AM