Three years have passed since the collapse of Afghanistan’s democratic government and the Taliban’s return to power. This political shift has made life next to impossible for Afghan women and girls. They are systematically excluded from large parts of society and are nearly invisible in the public sphere. Yet, their contributions remain essential – particularly in the healthcare sector, where female doctors, midwives, nurses and other professionals play a critical role.
Norway and the international community have both strongly condemned the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights. At the same time, Afghanistan is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, where half of the populations needs assistance to survive. As international support declines, the gap widens between urgent needs and the resources available to address them.
Against this backdrop, the Norwegian Red Cross organized a humanitarian forum on 24 February on the situation for women in Afghanistan. The forum focused on what concrete steps the Norwegian authorities, Red Cross, and human rights advocates can take to strengthen women's rights and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.
At the event, PRIO Director Henrik Urdal presented the findings from a pilot study of Red Cross healthcare facilities in Afghanistan and outlined key barriers to maternal and child healthcare in Afghanistan. The report stresses:
- The rural-urban divide. Data shows significantly lower usage of antenatal and maternal healthcare in rural areas.
- Security concerns. Active conflict limits both access to and use of maternal healthcare facilities.
- Financial barriers. High costs of healthcare, and low income, discourage people from seeking help.
Urdal stated that
"addressing these challenges requires support from both Norwegian authorities and international aid organizations, but they are a critical step in improving healthcare access and support Afghan women in one of the world’s most restrictive environments."
The presentation by Urdal was based on a pilot study of Red Cross health facilities in Afghanistan by PRIO researchers Karim Bahgat, Haakon Gjerløw and Gudrun Østby.
