An exclusive look into the plight of women confined in Qala, Kabul's largest mental health center, highlighting the overwhelming burden of societal norms, family abandonment, and the deteriorating mental health situation under Taliban rule.
Women in Afghanistan's Mental Health Crisis: A Fight Against Abandonment
Women in Afghanistan's Mental Health Crisis: A Fight Against Abandonment
Insights into the struggles of women trapped in Afghanistan's mental health facilities, revealing the intersection of gender, trauma, and systemic neglect.
High on a hill in Kabul, behind formidable gates, lies the women's wing of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's mental health centre, known as Qala. This facility serves as a sanctuary for women grappling with mental health issues, yet it has become a crowded prison for many residents. Among these women is Mariam, a survivor of domestic abuse who has been confined for nine years. Her bright spirit, marked by smiles and songs, belies the harsh realities of her situation: without a safe home to return to, she is trapped within the institution.
Afghanistan's patriarchal system and Taliban regulations ensure that women can't live independently, severely limiting their rights and freedoms. Mariam's fellow inmate, Habiba, also longs for freedom but lacks a supportive family after being cast out by her husband. Similar stories abound within this mental health facility, where many women, some abandoned for decades, reside with little hope of visitors or support.
The lack of understanding and stigma surrounding mental health has compounded the crisis, prompting alarming statistics from recent UN reports indicating a deterioration in women's mental health. A staggering 68% of surveyed women reported experiencing poor mental health, which intertwines with the restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Restrictions have impeded women's ability to seek help, leading to a concerning rise in individuals needing admission to care facilities like Qala.
Children are not spared from this trauma, as demonstrated by the case of Zainab, a 16-year-old whose family struggled for a year to secure her a place in the facility. Zainab's mental state deteriorated after traumatic experiences, leading her to escape attempts and self-harm. Her father's shame over her actions reflects deep societal pressures. The community's approach to mental health remains fraught with misunderstanding, leading to tragic circumstances where women and girls find themselves confined without adequate support or care.
With the complexities of Afghanistan’s cultural and political landscape, many women face an uncertain future where the very systems meant to protect them fail. As we reflect on their stories, the need to address the mental health crisis among Afghan women becomes ever more urgent; the cycle of trauma and neglect must be broken to prevent further abandonment and suffering.
