Kabul: A senior official from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a stark warning about the long-term consequences of Afghanistan’s ongoing restrictions on girls’ education, highlighting a looming crisis in the country’s health sector.
Andrew Saberton, UNFPA’s Deputy Executive Director for Management, voiced his concerns during a recent six-day visit to Afghanistan. In meetings with Islamic Emirate officials, including Acting Health Minister Noor Jalal Jalali, Saberton stressed that preventing girls from studying beyond sixth grade would eventually lead to a severe shortage of midwives—a key component of maternal healthcare.
“If girls are denied education past grade six, we will have no new generation of midwives to replace those retiring in the future,” Saberton said. “This will have a devastating impact on the country’s ability to provide maternal health services.” He noted that while the officials acknowledged the concern, it remains unclear whether any policy changes will follow.
Saberton also addressed the significant blow dealt by recent U.S. funding cuts to UNFPA, which have further strained the humanitarian situation. Of the more than $330 million withdrawn globally, $102 million was earmarked for Afghanistan. This funding supported essential health services, including family health houses, mobile clinics, and mental health support. Due to the cuts, 6.3 million people—mainly women and girls—have been left without access to vital care.
“Currently, a mother in Afghanistan dies every two hours from preventable complications related to childbirth,” Saberton noted. “The reduction in funding will severely limit our ability to respond to such emergencies.”
According to UNFPA, while 982 of its health centers operated across Afghanistan in 2024, the number is projected to drop to 418 by 2026 if the funding gap persists.
The Islamic Emirate continues to assert that decisions regarding girls’ education are a domestic issue. Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Public Health have previously stated that over 30,000 trained midwives in Afghanistan are waiting for employment opportunities—an irony in the face of a future workforce shortfall.
