Al Jazeera has reported that female medical students in Afghanistan are continuing their education in secret.

The Al Jazeera report published on December 30th states that over 3,000 women who graduated before the education ban have been denied participation in the “exit exam.”

The prohibition of female doctors from entering exams has led to a severe shortage of female doctors in Afghanistan’s health sector.

Qalandar Abad, the acting Minister of Public Health, has also referred to this issue, stating that they are facing a shortage of female doctors.

Al Jazeera interviewed two girls who are interning in hospitals secretly. They have said that they have taken this action against imposed restrictions and to prevent forced marriages.

The girls told Al Jazeera reporter that “their constant fear is that the Taliban might see them during their internships.”