Despite facing a ban on public life and education, female medical students in Afghanistan are courageously pushing forward with their studies. This defiance includes secretly pursuing the critical 'exit exam' required for medical graduation, a hurdle that has left over 3,000 women in a state of uncertainty, unable to fully qualify as doctors due to the education ban.

The ban, imposed by the Taliban, exacerbates the shortage of female doctors in the country's health sector. In some regions, cultural constraints limit women from seeking medical treatment from male doctors, making the scarcity of female medical professionals a critical issue.

Qalandar Abad, the acting Minister of Public Health, recognizes the escalating problem of the dearth of female doctors in Afghanistan. Some brave female medical students are taking significant risks by interning at hospitals in secret to continue their education, aware of the potential consequences if discovered by the Taliban.

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, highlighted Afghanistan's oppressive conditions for women's rights, with global implications. The urgent need for female doctors becomes crucial as the country faces high maternal mortality rates.

Despite life-threatening risks, Afghan female medical students persist in their resistance, driven by their passion for medicine, dedication to education, and a strong desire to serve their communities. Their perseverance serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the unyielding spirit of Afghan women.