Afghanistan

A Rural Hospital Offers a Lifeline – and a Rare Social Outlet – for Afghan Women

Baraki rajan, Afghanistan – A battered pickup truck serves as an ambulance for this rural hospital, a 62-bed facility that has served the community in some form for 35 years. Dr Mohammad Akul, the hospital’s head, has worked there for 15 years, and as 2022, the hospital has received support from Unicef.

Within the hospital walls, Dr Shabnum Rahimi (28) stands out. She is one of 38 medical personnel, and the only female doctor. Each day,she treats between 100 and 120 women,many of whom are seeking care on behalf of their children.

The waiting room outside her office is typically crowded. Most of the women present wear burkas, tho they frequently enough have the face coverings pulled aside. Though, when a local male photographer prepared to take portraits, the women quickly and playfully retreated beneath their burkas.

Dr Rahimi’s path to this rural hospital differs significantly from her previous role as a medical lecturer at a private university in Kabul. Here,where the average family size is 10,she carries a heavy caseload and significant responsibility as the sole female doctor. She works from Saturday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm, and typically spends two nights a week at the hospital, earning a monthly salary of $449.

“I have a dream for Afghanistan,” Dr Rahimi says. “I hope one day that girls here can improve their education and study so they can participate in society.”

The need for medical care, even for seemingly minor ailments, brings women to the hospital. Several women waiting outside in the shade explained they had walked for over an hour in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius to seek treatment for sore throats – a condition rarely requiring a hospital visit in many Western countries. The prevalence of pharmacies, and the lack of prescription requirements for many drugs, are also notable.

Under the current restrictions, adolescent girls are barred from education, and women are prohibited from working outside the home, attending beauty salons, or gathering in public parks.It became apparent that these hospital visits may also provide a crucial,and perhaps rare,possibility for women to leave the confines of their homes under the guise of a medical need,offering a safe space for social interaction.

The women expressed a desire for connection, repeatedly requesting photos with the visiting journalist. One woman’s phone case, adorned with golden glitter, lipstick and eyeshadow drawings, and the English phrase “Wake Up and Make Up,” offered a small glimpse of personal expression amidst the restrictions.

As the journey continued, the image of a woman driving alone in Herat, observed during the pre-sunset traffic, remained vivid – a symbol of resilience and quiet defiance.

Rosita Boland travelled to Afghanistan as a guest of Unicef. donations can be made at https://www.unicef.ie/