Kabul:  As the rubble settles in eastern Afghanistan, a grim reality has emerged: women are dying not only from the earthquake’s destruction but also from the Taliban’s outdated and restrictive laws. While international aid struggles to reach remote villages, Afghan women face barriers that make even life-saving medical assistance nearly impossible.

The 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Kunar and Nangarhar provinces on August 31, followed by a 5.5 aftershock, left entire communities in ruins. Over 5,200 homes have been destroyed, and thousands more damaged. The United Nations reports that humanitarian teams have reached only 49 of 441 affected villages. Hundreds remain inaccessible due to landslides, blocked roads, and treacherous terrain. The death toll has surpassed 2,200, with some estimates nearing 3,000, and thousands are injured.

For women trapped under rubble or injured, the crisis is intensified by Taliban restrictions. Male rescuers are prohibited from directly assisting women, and female aid workers face strict rules requiring male guardians for travel. Many female healthcare workers were forced out of their positions following the Taliban’s 2022 ban on women working for most non-governmental organizations. The result: thousands of women are left without timely medical care, many suffering preventable injuries or death.

Dr. Mukta Sharma, WHO’s Deputy Representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the severity of the situation: “There are simply not enough female health workers available. Women cannot be treated by male doctors due to Taliban rules, and many are too afraid or restricted from seeking care.” International organizations have repeatedly urged the Taliban to lift these restrictions, but progress has been minimal.

The earthquake’s broader destruction compounds the crisis. Nearly 8,000 homes have been destroyed, 98 percent of buildings damaged, and 53 schools serving over 157,000 children have collapsed. More than 500,000 people, including approximately 260,000 children, are directly affected. Aid agencies estimate that at least 280 children have become orphans.

Humanitarian aid is critically short. The World Food Programme warns that current resources will last only four more weeks, while funding has plummeted from $1.7 billion in 2022 to less than $300 million in 2025. The Norwegian Refugee Council reported having just $100,000 to meet the immediate needs of affected communities, far below the $2 million required.

International aid has begun to arrive. The United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, South Korea, India, Qatar, UAE, Turkey, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Switzerland have pledged support. India sent 1,000 tents and 15 tonnes of food, Ireland pledged €500,000, and Australia and South Korea each committed $1 million. Yet the gap between needs and resources remains vast, especially given the restrictive Taliban policies that limit effective aid delivery.

Humanitarian workers warn that without urgent reform, Afghan women will continue to bear the heaviest burden. Families remain in the open with limited access to food, water, or medical care. Children remain out of school and are vulnerable to disease and malnutrition. The Taliban’s adherence to outdated laws is effectively trapping women in life-threatening situations, turning a natural disaster into a gendered humanitarian catastrophe.

The UN Security Council has called on the Taliban to amend restrictive policies and allow female aid workers to operate freely. Until such reforms are enacted, the earthquake’s aftermath will continue to highlight the deadly consequences of an antiquated, uneducative legal framework.