The Afghan capital's largest women's mental health center, run by the Afghan Red Crescent Society, struggles amid growing patient numbers and lack of societal support. Many women remain confined due to oppressive conditions, leaving them without pathways to recovery or independence.
"Behind Barbed Wire: Afghan Women Confront a Mental Health Crisis in Isolation"
"Behind Barbed Wire: Afghan Women Confront a Mental Health Crisis in Isolation"
In the shadow of the Taliban's return, a mental health facility in Kabul reveals the harrowing plight of women trapped by circumstance and societal norms.
High on a hill in Kabul, behind a steel gate adorned with barbed wire, lies a seldom-discussed mental health facility, known locally as Qala, or "the fortress." Operated by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), this center is one of the few dedicated solely to women's mental health in Afghanistan, housing 104 patients in dire conditions. The BBC's exclusive visit unveiled the escalating crisis as staff grapple with overwhelming numbers and severe resource shortages.
Among the residents is Mariam*, a young woman who has spent nine years in the center after suffering domestic violence and homelessness. With a cheerful demeanor and a penchant for singing, Mariam longs to leave the facility but finds herself trapped, unable to return to her family due to their abusive history. "I want to marry someone here in Kabul; going home means abandonment again," she reflects.
Habiba, another patient, shares a similar story. At 28 years old, she was brought to the center by her husband, who cast her out after marrying another woman. Despite her readiness to rejoin society, she faces an uncertain future, as both her husband and mother are unable or unwilling to provide a home.
The mental health crisis for women in Afghanistan has deep roots, exacerbated by Taliban regulations and societal restrictions. Women are legally required to have a male guardian for travel, work, or healthcare—conditions that render independent living nearly impossible. The impact of generational gender inequality and limited access to education intensifies their dependency on male family members.
Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital, confirms the increasing incidence of mental health issues among women, attributing it to socio-economic pressures and familial challenges. "Mental illness, especially depression, is prevalent," he states, noting that the majority of his patients are young women.
Despite claims from the Taliban of safeguarding women's rights, UN reports highlight worsening mental health conditions, with many women reporting "bad" mental health due to restrictive measures. The center itself has seen patient numbers rise sharply over recent years, causing delays and a waiting list for new admissions.
Zainab, a 16-year-old, is one of the youngest patients admitted. After being shackled to prevent her from fleeing, her family's attempts to seek help were met with obstacles. Evidence of turmoil in her home life compounds her mental health struggles, as she grapples with trauma stemming from school bombings.
While the future remains uncertain for Mariam, Habiba, and Zainab within the confines of the center, the growing demand for support underscores a pressing need for reform. As long as societal structures continue to suppress women’s rights, stories of suffering will persist.
*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the patients and their families.
