Taliban Ministry of Virtue and Vice Issues Directive Requiring Female Doctors to Have Religious Mahram

The Taliban’s Ministry of Virtue and Vice has issued a 17-point directive to health centers. The directive requires female doctors to have a religious mahram when collaborating with male doctors. It also mandates that gender separated workspaces be established for female and male doctors. Health centers are further required to create separate waiting rooms for women and men in order to prevent any mixing between the genders.

No male doctor or staff member is permitted to enter rooms with female patients without permission under the terms of the directive. The order also includes provisions that force male doctors to grow beards. Some doctors have been required to sign commitments stating that they will stop work fifteen minutes before prayer times so that they can attend the mosque.

Health centers must cooperate with the Directorate of Virtue and Vice in establishing virtues and eliminating vices. The directive specifies that implementation is mandatory. Legal action is threatened for any violations of the new rules.

The 17-point letter was sent to health centers with the expectation that all points will be followed without exception. The measures cover various aspects of daily operations in medical facilities. They aim to enforce strict adherence to the outlined guidelines on gender interaction and religious observance.