RASC News Agency: Female doctors and healthcare workers have been threatened by the Taliban following their protests and hunger strikes. Informed sources told RASC that after female healthcare workers protested against salary cuts, their representatives were summoned for discussions at the Ministry of Public Health yesterday.
Sources added that the Taliban’s Minister of Public Health refused to meet with the female doctors, but the Deputy Minister and several other officials attended the discussions. During these talks, the female doctors’ grievances were not only ignored but they were also subjected to further threats. Sources report that several points were emphasized to the women at the ministry. They were told, “We understand that 5,000 kabuli rupees is not a sufficient salary for employees, but we cannot afford to pay more.”
The Deputy Minister told the female doctors, “While all other women have been confined to their homes, female employees in the health system have been permitted to work. They are fortunate and should be grateful to the Taliban for this opportunity. According to Sharia law, no woman is allowed to work outside her home, so women should be thankful that the Taliban has allowed them to work in the health sector.”
He also stated, “Female employees in the health system do not observe proper hijab. To continue working, they must adhere to hijab requirements.” He added, “Protesting is against Sharia law and the interests of the Taliban. No one is allowed to protest anymore.”
The Deputy Minister further said, “Only the Taliban leader has the authority to increase salaries, and unless he permits it, no institution can raise the salaries of female employees. Therefore, no woman has the right to protest.” It is worth noting that the Taliban leader has set the salary for women at 6,000 kabuli rupees. However, a mosque mullah earns four times that amount.
