Afghanistan: Taliban Enforce Burqa Requirement for Hospital Access

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have mandated that women wear a burqa to access public hospitals in the city of Herat. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports that the decision took effect on November 5.

Initially, the implementation of the measure led to a decrease in the admission of female patients. Sarah Sato, MSF's program manager in Afghanistan, told the BBC that the measure restricts women's access to healthcare.

According to MSF, there was a 28% drop in emergency pediatric admissions in the first few days. Taliban members were reportedly blocking women without burqas from entering.