PURPOSE:
To provide a historical overview of midwifery education in Afghanistan and utilising a feminist lens, examine the implications of the recent education ban on the midwifery profession, maternal and newborn health (MNH) services, and women’s participation in the health workforce.

DISCUSSION:
Since 2001, Afghanistan’s midwifery education system has played a key role in addressing high maternal and newborn mortality, while expanding professional opportunities for women1-3. Over two decades, the number of midwives grew from around 467 to around 10,000, excluding those who graduated from private sector programs4-7. Midwives contributed significantly to reducing maternal deaths, while also serving as advocates for women-centered care in their communities5 8. The midwifery education system, aligned with ICM competencies and standards, achieved many successes yet faced persistent challenges, including quality gaps in a weak regulatory mechanism, limited faculty development, and regional disparities in access4. The return of the Taliban in 2021 and the December 2024 ban on midwifery education have disrupted progress. This policy change, rooted in sociocultural norms restricting women’s public roles, halts the production of new midwives, threatens future workforce capacity, and increases risks for MNH outcomes. Educators now face professional uncertainty; many remain on payroll with significantly reduced salaries, and mobility restrictions impact both midwives’ work and women’s access to care, especially in cases of pregnancy complications or emergencies.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Feminist theory highlights how control over women’s education and professional spaces perpetuates power imbalances and undermines gender equity9-11. Sustaining midwifery education is essential to achieving SDG 3 (health and wellbeing) and SDG 5 (gender equality) services12.

KEY MESSAGE:
The global need for midwives is critical, especially in fragile settings, like Afghanistan, where maternal and newborn mortality remains high. Bans on midwifery education cannot continue if global commitments to universal health coverage, gender equality, and the "1 Million More Midwives" goal are to be achieved. Poster session 4 (Group B)