Published on: 2025-03-15

Intelligence Report: Every Two Hours A Woman Dies During Childbirth In Afghanistan – Globalsecurity.org

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

The maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan is among the highest globally, with a woman dying every two hours during childbirth. The situation has deteriorated under the current regime, exacerbated by international funding cuts and restrictions on women’s education and employment in the health sector. Immediate international intervention and policy changes are required to address these preventable deaths.

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

General Analysis

The maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan has surged due to a combination of factors including the repressive governance, lack of qualified healthcare professionals, and diminished international aid. The withdrawal of foreign funding has severely impacted the public healthcare system, which was heavily reliant on external support. The ban on women attending medical institutes further restricts the availability of female healthcare providers, critical in a culturally sensitive environment. Reports indicate that many deaths are preventable with adequate medical intervention, highlighting systemic failures in healthcare delivery.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The rising maternal mortality rate poses significant risks to regional stability and human security. It reflects broader systemic issues within Afghanistan’s healthcare and governance structures. The restrictions on women’s education and employment in healthcare exacerbate gender inequality and hinder economic development. These trends could lead to increased international scrutiny and potential sanctions, further isolating Afghanistan from global support networks.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Encourage international bodies to negotiate with Afghan authorities to lift bans on women’s education and employment in the health sector.
• Reinstate and increase international funding focused on maternal health and healthcare infrastructure development.
• Implement mobile healthcare units to reach remote areas and provide essential maternal care services.

Outlook:

Best-case scenario: International negotiations lead to policy changes, allowing women to re-enter the healthcare sector, and foreign aid is restored, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates.

Worst-case scenario: Continued restrictions and funding cuts lead to further deterioration of the healthcare system, increasing maternal mortality and exacerbating humanitarian crises.

Most likely scenario: Incremental improvements occur through targeted international interventions, but systemic issues persist, maintaining high maternal mortality rates.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report mentions the following individuals and entities:

• Farangis Najibullah
• Mustafa Sarwar
• Abdul Hamid Hakimi
• Fereshta
• Tom Fletcher

These individuals are referenced in the context of the situation in Afghanistan but without specific roles or affiliations.