Home ›› 25 Oct 2021 ›› World Biz
Marzia has dedicated the past decade to treating some of Kabul's poorest women, but the midwife has now packed up her stethoscope along with a few precious photos, ahead of leaving Afghanistan with her husband and son.
The health worker is part of a major brain drain of professional women - entrepreneurs, lawyers, scientists, journalists and more - that many predict will set the country back decades.
"I am not leaving happily, but with a broken heart," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
"So many educated and professional women like me are leaving because of threats to our lives. But this will be devastating for the country in the long term," said Marzia, who asked not to use her full name.
Tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan in a mass evacuation arranged by the United States and partner countries after the Taliban took control on Aug. 15.
Others have left with help from international organisations, or under their own steam, fearing danger in the new Taliban era.
Marzia, 34, said the exodus would hurt the country's economy as well as decimate the aspirations of younger generations.
When the Taliban were last in power from 1996-2001, they barred women from work and imposed harsh restrictions on their daily lives, flogging or stoning those who broke the rules.
Education for girls was also banned.
Role Models
Since then, there has been a massive international effort to boost women's education, empowerment and economic opportunities.
"The brain drain is a huge concern," said Manizha Wafeq, president of the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI).
"We all invested so much in creating a great pool of professionals to support the country - in politics, the economy, engineering, the environment - everything."
There are an estimated 57,000 women-led businesses in Afghanistan, from handicraft traders to dried fruit exporters.
They employ about 130,000 people, and provide work for thousands of women making handicrafts at home.
