Hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan have been ordered to close by the Taliban, representing the latest restriction imposed on women. According to a spokesperson from the Vice and Virtue Ministry, businesses were given a one-month period, starting from July 2 when the announcement was made, to comply with the order.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, women’s freedoms have progressively diminished. They have been prohibited from attending schools, gyms, and parks, and most recently, even barred from working for the United Nations. Additionally, the Taliban has mandated that women must be veiled, with only their eyes visible, and if traveling beyond 72km (48 miles), they must be accompanied by a male relative.
Despite international condemnation and protests by women and activists advocating for their rights, the Taliban has continued to enforce restrictions on women in Afghanistan.
The closure of beauty salons is part of a broader set of measures imposed by the Taliban during their previous rule from 1996 to 2001. However, following the US-led invasion in 2001, the salons were able to reopen.
In response to the recent closure, an Afghan woman, speaking anonymously, expressed her dismay, stating that the Taliban is depriving Afghan women of their fundamental human rights and violating their rights in general. She believes that the Taliban’s focus seems to be on controlling women’s bodies and eliminating women from public life.
While beauty salons remained open after the Taliban regained power two years ago, shop windows were often covered, and images of women outside salons were spray-painted to hide their faces.
The Taliban government has not provided an explanation for the ban or detailed any alternatives available to women once the salons are shut down.
Another Afghan woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that hair salons in Kabul and other places had been closed, describing it as shocking news for Afghan women who witnessed the closure of salons in their localities.
