High on a hillguarded by steel and barbed wire, the women’s wing of the Afghan Red Crescent Society's mental health centre, known locally as Qala, reveals a painful truth: 104 women remain locked in a perpetual waiting game for freedom. The distressing stories emerging from this facility reflect not only individual struggles but a broader societal crisis exacerbated by the Taliban's stringent regulations and entrenched patriarchal norms.
BBC News gained exclusive access to this overwhelmed center, which is one of the few in Afghanistan catering to women's mental health needs. Among the residents is Mariam*, in her 20s, who, after experiencing nine years of domestic violence and family neglect, finds herself without a place to call home. Perceptions of honor and cultural traditions forced her family to confine her, leading to a life of suffering and abuse. Despite her radiant smile and eagerness to rebuild her life, Mariam cannot leave — she has nowhere to go. “I want to marry someone here in Kabul,” she states, revealing her desperate wish for independence and safety.
Alongside Mariam, Habiba, 28, lives a similar reality. Driven from her home by a husband who remarried, she faces a grim reality — her children live with relatives, and her options for survival are slim. She too has no chance to escape her current fate, revealing the intertwined tales of despair and abandonment that plague the women in this facility.
A troubling report from the UN highlights that similar narratives aren’t unusual. A staggering percentage of women have reported deteriorating mental health conditions, reflecting years of trauma exacerbated by political turmoil and gender discrimination. Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist at a nearby clinic, notes the grim reality faced by women: “Mental illness, especially depression, is very common in our society,” he says, pointing to economic pressures and lack of male providers as factors contributing significantly to this crisis.
Even worse, as demand rises, the facility’s capacity cannot keep up — families wait for months seeking help, illustrating an urgent mental health crisis in the country. The tragic plight of Zainab, a 16-year-old girl shackled at home until she was finally admitted to the center, underscores the heartbreak that frequently accompanies seeking help. For many women like her, the situation remains bleak, with no assurance of release or recovery.
Zainab's experiences highlight a staggering reality: amid the backdrop of bombings and violence, and as families grapple with stigma, the invisible wounds of mental illness grow deeper. As Afghan authorities assure that women’s rights are preserved, daily accounts suggest otherwise; many women remain trapped in silent suffering, echoing a call for urgency and compassion in a system that seems to forget them.
*All names of patients and relatives have been changed for privacy.
BBC News gained exclusive access to this overwhelmed center, which is one of the few in Afghanistan catering to women's mental health needs. Among the residents is Mariam*, in her 20s, who, after experiencing nine years of domestic violence and family neglect, finds herself without a place to call home. Perceptions of honor and cultural traditions forced her family to confine her, leading to a life of suffering and abuse. Despite her radiant smile and eagerness to rebuild her life, Mariam cannot leave — she has nowhere to go. “I want to marry someone here in Kabul,” she states, revealing her desperate wish for independence and safety.
Alongside Mariam, Habiba, 28, lives a similar reality. Driven from her home by a husband who remarried, she faces a grim reality — her children live with relatives, and her options for survival are slim. She too has no chance to escape her current fate, revealing the intertwined tales of despair and abandonment that plague the women in this facility.
A troubling report from the UN highlights that similar narratives aren’t unusual. A staggering percentage of women have reported deteriorating mental health conditions, reflecting years of trauma exacerbated by political turmoil and gender discrimination. Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist at a nearby clinic, notes the grim reality faced by women: “Mental illness, especially depression, is very common in our society,” he says, pointing to economic pressures and lack of male providers as factors contributing significantly to this crisis.
Even worse, as demand rises, the facility’s capacity cannot keep up — families wait for months seeking help, illustrating an urgent mental health crisis in the country. The tragic plight of Zainab, a 16-year-old girl shackled at home until she was finally admitted to the center, underscores the heartbreak that frequently accompanies seeking help. For many women like her, the situation remains bleak, with no assurance of release or recovery.
Zainab's experiences highlight a staggering reality: amid the backdrop of bombings and violence, and as families grapple with stigma, the invisible wounds of mental illness grow deeper. As Afghan authorities assure that women’s rights are preserved, daily accounts suggest otherwise; many women remain trapped in silent suffering, echoing a call for urgency and compassion in a system that seems to forget them.
*All names of patients and relatives have been changed for privacy.
