World

No More Contraceptive For Afghans: Taliban Bans Birth Control Meds And Devices, Calls It ‘Western Conspiracy’

Taliban has banned the sale of contraceptives in Afghanistan’s two prominent cities, claiming that contraception is a “western conspiracy to control the Muslim population,” according to the media reports.

‘Visits, threats and orders’ by Taliban

Ahead of the stoppage of the use of contraceptives, the Taliban has been making door-to-door visits, threatening midwives and ordering pharmacies against the sale of birth control medicines and devices.

This is the latest attack on women’s rights by the Taliban who swept to power in August 2021. The Deobandi Islamic fundamentalist, Taliban has since banned higher education for girls, closed down universities for women, forced women out of their jobs and restricted their movements outside their homes.

While speaking to the media, a local shop owner said, “They came to my store twice with guns and threatened me not to keep contraceptive pills for sale. They are regularly checking every pharmacy in Kabul and we have stopped selling the products.”

A midwife claimed that a Taliban commander said, “You are not allowed to go outside and promote the western concept of controlling the population and this is unnecessary work.”

Moreover, another local told the media, “Items such as birth control pills and Depo-Provera injections are no longer allowed to be kept in the pharmacy since the start of this month, and we are too afraid to sell the existing stock.”

‘Taliban’s control is outrageous’

According to an Afghan-born social activist in the UK, Shabnam Nasimi, the Taliban’s control over women’s human right to work and study and now over their bodies is outrageous.

“It is a fundamental human right to have access to family planning and contraception services free of coercion. Such autonomy and agency are essential components of women’s rights, such as the right to equality, non-discrimination, life, sexual health, reproductive health, and other basic human rights,” Nasimi said.

Also Read: 19 Dead Amid Heavy Rains In Brazil, Precipitation Has Surpassed 600 Millimeters In One Day

Human Rights Watch report 2021

According to a 2021 Human Rights Watch report, the most basic information on maternal health and family planning is not available to most women in Afghanistan.

“What emerged is a picture of a system that is increasingly unaffordable to the estimated 61% to 72% of Afghan women who live in poverty, and one in which women often have more children than they want because of lack of access to modern contraception; face risky pregnancies because of lack of care; and undergo procedures that could be done more safely with access to and capacity to use more modern techniques,” the 2021 Human Rights Watch report added.

Alina Khan

Recent Posts

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility For Missile Attack On Israel

Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel's Negev region, targeting the Negev…

10 hours ago

From ‘Razia Sultan’ To ‘Sarfarosh’: The Timeless Journey Of Nida Fazli, ‘Main Nida’

A special screening of the film 'Main Nida', based on the life of the renowned…

11 hours ago

Flood Alert In PoK’s Muzaffarabad After Alleged Jhelum Water Release

A flood alert was issued across Muzaffarabad on Saturday after locals reported a sudden rise…

12 hours ago

Zelensky, Trump Hold Talks In Rome Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral; Discusses Ceasefire & Peace

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome on Saturday ahead…

13 hours ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Ishan Educational Institutions Organises Protest Against Terrorism

Ishan Educational Institutions, Greater Noida, today organised a peaceful protest march condemning the recent terror…

14 hours ago

Complete Ban On Drone Flights Over Noida International Airport ‘Red Zone’

Authorities have imposed a complete ban on the operation of drones and UAVs over and…

14 hours ago