The United States strongly condemns the Taliban’s recent decision to suspend medical education for women. This directive, the latest in a series of efforts that jeopardize the rights and lives of Afghan women and girls, is an unjustifiable attack on women’s access to education and healthcare. 

In August, the Taliban issued the ‘Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’ edicts, a new law that aimed to completely erase Afghan women and girls from public life. Previously issued restrictions have prevented women from both seeking health services from male providers and traveling without a male guardian. These directives, now coupled with excluding women from obtaining a medical education, further jeopardize the health, well-being, safety, and lives of not just Afghan women and girls, but all Afghans. 

The United States remains resolute in its support for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and will continue to stand with all Afghans in advocating for their full, equal, and meaningful participation in all aspects of society.   The international community must be united and unequivocal in condemning these actions and in supporting the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, whose rights are being systemically abused.  We call on the Taliban to rescind this directive and all previous directives denying women the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including their right to education, and their access to essential services.