"A visit to Kabul's women's mental health center reveals a stark reality as female patients, some abandoned by their families, face debilitating conditions and societal neglect, exacerbated by Taliban regulations that limit their freedom and prospects for recovery."
"Voices Ignored: Afghan Women Struggle Within a Stigmatized Mental Health System"
"Voices Ignored: Afghan Women Struggle Within a Stigmatized Mental Health System"
"Within Kabul's only women's mental health facility, women suffer in silence under stringent societal rules and a lack of support."
High on a secluded hilltop in the Afghan capital, Kabul, lies a mental health facility shrouded in silence and secrecy, known locally as Qala, or the fortress. Run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), it stands as the largest of the few centers dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of women in Afghanistan. Recently, a BBC report shed light on the overwhelming conditions within its crowded walls, housing 104 female patients, each with harrowing stories and few if any paths to freedom.
Among the residents is Mariam, thought to be in her mid-20s and a victim of domestic violence. After enduring years of abuse and homelessness, she was brought to the center nine years ago, where she has remained trapped, longing for a life beyond its gates. “I don’t expect to return to my family. I want to marry someone in Kabul, but for now, I cannot leave,” she shares, displaying a persistent smile despite her painful reality.
Mariam's story mirrors that of many women at Qala, like Habiba, a 28-year-old mother whose husband abandoned her after remarrying. Although she wishes to reunite with her three sons, her lack of resources and familial support keeps her confined within the facility. Habiba laments, “Without my husband or support, I feel stuck.”
The staffing struggles within the center are compounded by the restrictive cultural and legal framework established under Taliban rule, where women’s autonomy is severely compromised, and many basic services remain inaccessible without the accompaniment of a male guardian. As Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a senior psychiatrist, notes, mental illness, particularly among women facing economic hardships and family crises, is increasingly prevalent.
Despite the Taliban’s assurances of ensuring rights for women, recent reports reveal a dire mental health crisis, with 68% of surveyed women reporting their mental health as "bad" or "very bad." Those within Qala often find themselves trapped for extended periods, as the facility lacks sufficient resources to accommodate the growing number of women in need of help. Zainab, a 16-year-old patient, was only recently admitted after being shackled at home to prevent her from escaping. Her traumatic experiences have left her emotionally fragile, highlighting the urgent need for mental health resources in the country.
As these women navigate the harsh realities of their circumstances, their voices remain largely unheard. With economic pressures, cultural constraints, and a system that fails to provide adequate support, the future for women like Mariam and Habiba remains bleak. The stigma surrounding mental health in Afghanistan only complicates their fight for agency and dignity, leaving many feeling as though they are forgotten.
