In a concealed part of Kabul, a mental health facility known as Qala serves as both a sanctuary and a prison for many women battling mental health issues. Operated by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), this center caters almost exclusively to women, housing 104 patients but facing overwhelming demand. Recent reports reveal the center's struggles amidst a mental health crisis that continues to escalate, exacerbated by the Taliban's oppressive policies.
Among the residents is Mariam*, who, having endured a tumultuous life marked by domestic violence and neglect, has been living at Qala for nearly a decade. Now in her mid-20s, she reflects on the hardships that led her there, including physical abuse from her brothers. "I don't expect to return to my family," she states with a determined smile. Despite her readiness to leave, a lack of support outside the facility keeps her trapped.
Her story mirrors that of Habiba, a mother of three who was sent to Qala by her husband after he remarried. Without a place to go, she yearns for her children, whom she hasn't seen in months. These women's narratives echo a broader issue affecting countless Afghan females, many of whom are confined to traditional roles and lack the autonomy to seek help or support.
Mental health challenges are common in Afghanistan, particularly among women exacerbated by ongoing economic pressures and longstanding cultural norms that restrict their independence. Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist in Kabul, notes that around 80% of his patients are young women facing familial difficulties, revealing the urgent need for accessible mental health services.
As the facility struggles to accommodate its patients, the Taliban's claims of improving women's rights clash starkly with the reality of a diminishing support system. Social stigma continues to overshadow mental health issues, and many women are forced to remain in facilities like Qala, often abandoned by families who consider them unworthy of care.
The situation becomes more dire with reports showing that women like Zainab, a 16-year-old whose emotional struggles have made her a resident of Qala after being confined and shackled at home, endure profound trauma without adequate support. Her fragmented family life and experiences amidst violence have left their mark, and her future remains uncertain within the institution's walls.
As these women's stories unfold, the need for systemic change becomes clear. Qala exists at a juncture where the hopes for recovery are often overshadowed by the harsh realities of a deeply entrenched patriarchal society, leaving many to question if they will ever escape their emotional prisons.*
*Names have been changed for privacy and security.*
Among the residents is Mariam*, who, having endured a tumultuous life marked by domestic violence and neglect, has been living at Qala for nearly a decade. Now in her mid-20s, she reflects on the hardships that led her there, including physical abuse from her brothers. "I don't expect to return to my family," she states with a determined smile. Despite her readiness to leave, a lack of support outside the facility keeps her trapped.
Her story mirrors that of Habiba, a mother of three who was sent to Qala by her husband after he remarried. Without a place to go, she yearns for her children, whom she hasn't seen in months. These women's narratives echo a broader issue affecting countless Afghan females, many of whom are confined to traditional roles and lack the autonomy to seek help or support.
Mental health challenges are common in Afghanistan, particularly among women exacerbated by ongoing economic pressures and longstanding cultural norms that restrict their independence. Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist in Kabul, notes that around 80% of his patients are young women facing familial difficulties, revealing the urgent need for accessible mental health services.
As the facility struggles to accommodate its patients, the Taliban's claims of improving women's rights clash starkly with the reality of a diminishing support system. Social stigma continues to overshadow mental health issues, and many women are forced to remain in facilities like Qala, often abandoned by families who consider them unworthy of care.
The situation becomes more dire with reports showing that women like Zainab, a 16-year-old whose emotional struggles have made her a resident of Qala after being confined and shackled at home, endure profound trauma without adequate support. Her fragmented family life and experiences amidst violence have left their mark, and her future remains uncertain within the institution's walls.
As these women's stories unfold, the need for systemic change becomes clear. Qala exists at a juncture where the hopes for recovery are often overshadowed by the harsh realities of a deeply entrenched patriarchal society, leaving many to question if they will ever escape their emotional prisons.*
*Names have been changed for privacy and security.*
