OIC Expresses Concern Over Afghan Ban On Women’s Medical Education

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed grave concern following the Afghan de facto authorities’ decision to ban women from pursuing nursing and midwifery courses, marking another setback for women’s education in the country.

In a statement released on Thursday, the OIC General Secretariat expressed grave concern over this, describing it as “unexpected and deeply disappointing directive”. 

“The General Secretariat deplores this new restrictive decree barring women from pursuing medical education. Such a decision comes not just as a frustrating blow to the basic rights of Afghan women, but it is also likely to produce a detrimental impact on Afghanistan’s healthcare system which is facing formidable challenges,” the statement read.

The General Secretariat has been quite hopeful that, through its committed and constructive engagement with the de facto authorities in Kabul, positive measures would be deployed to lift any ban on Afghan young women and girls to access education in line with OIC’s Resolutions and women’s rights in Islam.

“The General Secretariat insistently calls upon the de facto authorities in Kabul to revisit these latest measures,” it said.

-- BERNAMA