High on a hill in Kabul, hidden behind a fortified steel gate, lies the women's wing of a mental health facility operated by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). Nicknamed Qala, or "the fortress," this center is one of the few in the country dedicated to treating women suffering from mental illnesses, currently housing 104 patients.
The BBC was granted exclusive access to this overwhelmed facility, where staff grapple with a surge of patients. Among them is Mariam*, a woman in her mid-20s, who has called Qala home for nearly nine years. Victimized by domestic violence and familial neglect, she shares her harrowing tale of being cast onto the streets by her brothers, who imposed strict cultural norms on her freedom. Though she remains hopeful, expressing her desire to marry and leave the center, Mariam's circumstances keep her trapped as she lacks a safe place to go.
Alongside her is Habiba, 28, who was brought to the facility by her husband after he remarried and forced her out. Like Mariam, she also longs for independence but is unable to return home, as her husband refuses to take her back and her mother is unable to provide support. The isolation of these women reflects a larger societal issue; within Afghanistan's rigid patriarchal framework, women often remain dependent on male guardians for survival, leaving them vulnerable and without options.
The mental health crisis in Afghanistan has deep roots in ongoing conflict, resulting in poor mental health awareness and stigmatization. Recent data reveals that 68% of women surveyed experience deteriorating mental health conditions linked to the Taliban’s governance, which enforces restrictions on women's rights. In conversations with Taliban officials, they claim to protect women's rights, yet the reality presents a contradictory narrative, where severe limitations on movement create barriers to accessing much-needed mental health services.
Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a senior psychiatrist, highlights the rampant mental health challenges rooted in economic and familial strain, reporting a high volume of patients, predominantly women, facing dire circumstances. Furthermore, the cramped quarters of the Qala facility mean that women often must wait long periods for admission, exacerbating the crisis. One family's struggle to secure their daughter Zainab, a 16-year-old with debilitating mental health issues, illustrates the desperate need for more resources and space within the confines of the facility.
Zainab, who previously endured significant trauma after her school was bombed, is among the youngest patients at Qala. Her difficult mental health journey is compounded by her father's fear of dishonor and his attempts to control her behavior through confinement. As cases like hers emerge, the fate of many women at Qala remains uncertain, raising concerns about abandonment and neglect.
As Mariam, Habiba, and Zainab navigate the complexities of life within Qala and confront a future filled with uncertainty, the cries for assistance grow louder. Their stories underline the urgent need for systemic change in how Afghanistan perceives mental health and supports women who find themselves in dire circumstances.
*Names have been changed for privacy.*
The BBC was granted exclusive access to this overwhelmed facility, where staff grapple with a surge of patients. Among them is Mariam*, a woman in her mid-20s, who has called Qala home for nearly nine years. Victimized by domestic violence and familial neglect, she shares her harrowing tale of being cast onto the streets by her brothers, who imposed strict cultural norms on her freedom. Though she remains hopeful, expressing her desire to marry and leave the center, Mariam's circumstances keep her trapped as she lacks a safe place to go.
Alongside her is Habiba, 28, who was brought to the facility by her husband after he remarried and forced her out. Like Mariam, she also longs for independence but is unable to return home, as her husband refuses to take her back and her mother is unable to provide support. The isolation of these women reflects a larger societal issue; within Afghanistan's rigid patriarchal framework, women often remain dependent on male guardians for survival, leaving them vulnerable and without options.
The mental health crisis in Afghanistan has deep roots in ongoing conflict, resulting in poor mental health awareness and stigmatization. Recent data reveals that 68% of women surveyed experience deteriorating mental health conditions linked to the Taliban’s governance, which enforces restrictions on women's rights. In conversations with Taliban officials, they claim to protect women's rights, yet the reality presents a contradictory narrative, where severe limitations on movement create barriers to accessing much-needed mental health services.
Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a senior psychiatrist, highlights the rampant mental health challenges rooted in economic and familial strain, reporting a high volume of patients, predominantly women, facing dire circumstances. Furthermore, the cramped quarters of the Qala facility mean that women often must wait long periods for admission, exacerbating the crisis. One family's struggle to secure their daughter Zainab, a 16-year-old with debilitating mental health issues, illustrates the desperate need for more resources and space within the confines of the facility.
Zainab, who previously endured significant trauma after her school was bombed, is among the youngest patients at Qala. Her difficult mental health journey is compounded by her father's fear of dishonor and his attempts to control her behavior through confinement. As cases like hers emerge, the fate of many women at Qala remains uncertain, raising concerns about abandonment and neglect.
As Mariam, Habiba, and Zainab navigate the complexities of life within Qala and confront a future filled with uncertainty, the cries for assistance grow louder. Their stories underline the urgent need for systemic change in how Afghanistan perceives mental health and supports women who find themselves in dire circumstances.
*Names have been changed for privacy.*
