Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Taliban Denies Banning Women Without Burqas From Hospitals
Some people in a city called Herat in Afghanistan say that women must wear a full-face veil called a burqa to go into hospitals.
A group called MSF saw fewer women going to the hospital because of this rule, even when they were very sick.
They think it makes it too hard for women to get help.
However, the Taliban, who are in charge, say this is not true.
They say their rules are about wearing a head covering called a hijab, which can mean different things.
They deny telling women they must wear a burqa for hospitals.
Other people in Herat say the rule is real and women have to wear burqas for other places too.
The Taliban has made many rules limiting women's rights since they took over again.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported women in Herat, Afghanistan, are being required to wear burqas to enter public health facilities.
MSF noted a 28% drop in emergency admissions at a hospital where they support services following the alleged rule's implementation.
A Taliban official denied the claims, stating the report is false and their stance is on hijab, not a mandatory burqa for hospitals.
Activists and residents corroborated the reports, stating women are also required to wear burqas in schools and government offices.
The UN has previously accused the Taliban of practicing 'gender apartheid' and urged them to lift restrictions on women.
- Who
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), local activists, residents, and a Taliban spokesperson
- What
- Allegations of a new rule requiring women to wear burqas to enter public health facilities, contrasted with Taliban denials.
- When
- The rule reportedly came into effect on November 5; reports emerged subsequently.
- Where
- Herat, Afghanistan, specifically public health facilities.
- Why
- MSF suggests it further impedes women's access to healthcare; the Taliban states its general position is on hijab and denies specific burqa mandates for hospitals.
Claims of Burqa Mandate
Taliban Denial
Enforcement of Burqa Rule
Claims of Burqa Mandate
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and local activists/residents report that women are being told to wear a burqa to enter public health facilities in Herat, leading to a drop in emergency admissions and impeding access to healthcare, even for urgent cases.
Taliban Denial
A Taliban official denies the claims, stating the report is 'totally false' and that the ministry's position is generally on the wearing of hijab, which has varying interpretations and local practices that may not align with Sharia law. They deny women have been banned from medical centers for not wearing burqas.
Nature of the Rule
Claims of Burqa Mandate
MSF notes this marks the first real enforcement of the burqa rule in Herat, despite earlier advice. Activists report women are required to wear burqas in schools and government offices as well.
Taliban Denial
A Taliban official states that while hijab is interpreted differently, and some local practices conflict with Sharia law, there is no forced burqa rule for hospitals. The ministry focuses on promoting hijab.
- Location
- Herat, Afghanistan
- Alleged Rule
- Women must wear a burqa to enter public health facilities
- Reported Effective Date
- November 5
- Impact Reported
- 28% drop in emergency admissions at Herat Regional Hospital, according to MSF
- Taliban Spokesperson
- Saif-ul-Islam Khyber (Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice)
- Previous Taliban Rule
- Burqa was mandatory for women in the 1990s