Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have reportedly mandated that female patients, caregivers, and staff wear a burka a full-body Islamic veil when entering public health facilities in the western city of Herat, according to medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The restrictions, which came into effect on 5 November 2025, have raised concerns over access to healthcare. Sarah Chateau, MSF’s programme manager in Afghanistan, told the BBC that even women requiring urgent medical care have been affected.
“These restrictions further impede women’s lives and limit women’s access to health care,” she said. MSF also reported a 28% drop in urgent patient admissions at Herat Regional Hospital during the initial days of the enforcement.
MSF observed Taliban personnel denying entry to women who were not wearing a burka. The one-piece garment covers the face and body, often leaving only a mesh screen for the wearer to see through.
Taliban Response
A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces strict religious rules, denied MSF’s claims.
“This is totally false. The position of the vice and virtue ministry is generally on the wearing of hijab,” said Saif-ul-Islam Khyber. He added that reports claiming women were barred from hospitals for not wearing the burka were incorrect.
Khyber also noted that interpretations of the hijab the general head and body covering vary across the country, with some interpretations conflicting with Sharia law, according to the Taliban.
Activist Reports and Public Reaction
Local activists say Taliban guards have been enforcing the burka requirement for women entering hospitals, schools, and government offices over the past week. Social media posts have shown women burning burkas in protest, though the BBC has not independently verified these videos.
MSF noted that while the Taliban had previously issued edicts recommending the burka in 2022, this is the first time enforcement has been observed in Herat.
“In the past few days, more and more women are coming to the hospital wearing burkas,” Ms. Chateau said.
Context: Taliban Restrictions on Women
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed numerous restrictions on women, including barring them from most workplaces and universities and prohibiting girls from attending secondary schools. The UN has repeatedly criticized these policies, describing them as gender apartheid.
Last week, the UN also suspended operations at Islam Qala, a key border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran, due to restrictions affecting Afghan women staff. The crossing has been a vital exit point for hundreds of thousands of Afghans fleeing Iran in the past year.
MSF and activists warn that measures like the burka requirement could further limit women’s access to essential services, exacerbating health risks and reinforcing gender inequality in the region.
