A recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that in Afghanistan, a mother loses her life to preventable complications every hour. Despite some improvements in basic care over the past two decades, the country still struggles to safeguard women during pregnancy and childbirth. The maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan remains alarmingly high at 521 deaths per 100,000 live births, with many fatalities resulting from treatable or preventable conditions like haemorrhage, hypertension, infection, and obstructed labor.
The WHO highlighted that the consequences of these deaths are often severe and long-lasting for the women who survive such complications. While there have been advancements in maternal and child health in Afghanistan since the late 2000s, disparities persist. Access to antenatal care has increased from 31% to 76%, and skilled health workers attend 67% of births, up from 24%. Child mortality has also decreased from 129 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 56 in 2023. However, women in rural and underserved areas continue to face the highest risks.
One of the most serious complications faced by Afghan women is obstetric fistula, primarily caused by prolonged obstructed labor. This condition can lead to various medical issues and social stigma. The WHO emphasized that obstetric fistula remains underreported due to limited access to specialized care and lack of awareness about available treatments. To tackle these challenges, the WHO is expanding maternal and child health services in Afghanistan with support from the Islamic Development Bank.
In a related development, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recently warned that Afghanistan could lose a significant number of women teachers and healthcare workers by 2030 due to ongoing restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment. The decline in female representation in civil services could have detrimental effects on children’s education, health outcomes, and future prospects. UNICEF estimated that the country is already losing US$84 million annually in economic output due to restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment.
