High on a hill in Kabul, a hidden facility known as Qala shelters the most vulnerable: women struggling with mental illnesses in the heart of a patriarchal society. While the women’s wing of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) claims to be the largest center for mental health, it’s filled beyond capacity with over 104 patients, battling both their individual demons and the societal shackles placed upon them.
Mariam*, a resident for nine years, shares her compelling tale of survival. She recalls a life marred by domestic abuse and neglect, ultimately leading to her homelessness. Her story was cut short when she was brought to Qala by a kind stranger concerned for her well-being. Despite her cheerful disposition and willingness to contribute to the center, Mariam remains unable to leave. “I don’t expect to return to my father and mother,” she confides, longing instead for the chance to build a life in Kabul, away from her family’s oppressive grasp.
Habiba, another resident at 28 years old, echoes Mariam's despair. After being forced from her home by a husband who remarried, her dreams of reuniting with her children hang in the balance. With no male guardian or support, she finds herself isolated, longing for connection yet held captive by circumstances.
The plight of these women is all too common within Qala’s walls, where some patients have languished for decades, abandoned due to the stigma surrounding mental health in a country plagued by war and traditional gender roles. A staggering 68% of women in Afghanistan report experiencing severe mental health issues, contributing to an overwhelming demand for psychiatric care that the system cannot currently support.
Dr. Abdul Wali Utmanzai, a psychiatrist at a nearby hospital, notes the significant rise in female patients seeking help, primarily due to economic distress and family issues. “Mental illness, especially depression, is very common in our society,” he explains. However, Taliban-imposed restrictions on women's freedoms complicate access to care, and many remain trapped within their households, unable to seek the help they desperately require.
Among the patients is Zainab, only 16 years old, confined to the center after her family struggled for a year to find her a space. The young girl was shackled at home in fear of her attempts to escape an overwhelming confinement. Her deteriorating mental health hit a tipping point after enduring trauma from bombings at her school — a stark reminder of the ongoing violence that reverberates through Afghan society. Zainab's story illustrates the cycle of tragedy that binds these women, where their desperation often leads to abandonment by families fearing social dishonor.
As the Taliban government vows to protect women's rights, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The stark contrast between official statements and lived experiences is glaring, with individuals like Mariam, Habiba, and Zainab exemplifying the profound struggles that persist behind closed doors. The urgent need for comprehensive mental health services and genuine protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan has never been more pressing, yet the silence remains deafening as many continue to be forgotten.
*Names have been altered to protect identities.
