The Qala mental health centre in Kabul is a last refuge for women like Mariam and Habiba, who cannot leave due to a lack of safe options. The Taliban's restrictions further complicate the dire mental health crisis, leaving many women abandoned and in desperate need of support.
Afghan Women Trapped in a Crumbling Mental Health System
Afghan Women Trapped in a Crumbling Mental Health System
A visit to Kabul's Qala mental health centre reveals the harsh realities faced by women enduring mental health struggles in Afghanistan amidst societal collapse.
High on a hill in Kabul lies Qala, a mental health facility for women, operated by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). Hidden behind a steel gate topped with barbed wire, this centre is one of the very few establishments in Afghanistan dedicated to aiding women struggling with mental illnesses. During a recent visit by the BBC, it became clear that staff were overwhelmed, managing the care of 104 women refugees from severe hardships.
Among those housed in Qala is Mariam, a woman in her mid-20s who has spent nine years at the facility. Victimized by domestic violence, Mariam's journey began at the hands of her abusive brothers who restricted her freedom based on harsh cultural norms. After being forced into homelessness, she was rescued by a stranger who brought her to the mental health centre. Despite her suffering, Mariam maintains a bright demeanor, singing and volunteering. However, she expresses longing to leave, stating she cannot return to her family, “I want to marry someone here in Kabul,” she reveals, knowing she cannot return to the life that abandoned her.
The situation is similar for Habiba, 28, who was abandoned by her husband after his remarriage. With her children living with relatives and no support from her estranged husband or mother, she too wishes for freedom from Qala, yet finds herself trapped by social constructs that confine women to their families. “I want to be reunited with my children,” she whispers, desperately hoping for a way out.
The Qala centre itself is a microcosm of wider Afghan societal issues. Official reports indicate that many women suffer from mental health conditions exacerbated by years of violence and societal neglect, but the stigma surrounding mental health remains. Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesperson for the Taliban, claimed that the government is committed to women’s rights amid conflicting reports from the UN indicating a deterioration in women's mental health conditions, with a staggering 68% of women feeling they are living with "bad" mental health.
As the Taliban enforces legislation restricting women’s mobility without male oversight, many find it next to impossible to seek help when needed. Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a senior psychiatrist, observes alarming trends among his female patients, most dealing with profound economic struggles. “Mental illness, especially depression, is very common in our society,” he notes, signifying a critical care gap as the demand for mental health support grows.
The struggles of other women at Qala reveal a heart-wrenching reality. Take Zainab, a 16-year-old, who was only admitted to the centre after a long wait, during which she was shackled to restrain her movements. Her father lamented about the shame her actions brought to the family as she faced dark mental health issues stemming from trauma related to bombings at her school. "It's better for her and us," he insisted, showcasing the deep cultural struggles surrounding mental health that keep families like Zainab's in turmoil.
As these women's stories emerge from the shadows, the future of Afghan women's mental health remains bleak, as those trapped within the walls of Qala continue facing uncertainty with no escape in sight.
