The World Briefly

July 05, 2023

Don’t Go Out

Afghanistan

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Taliban authorities Tuesday ordered the closure of beauty salons across Afghanistan, the latest shrinking of public access for Afghan women since the militant group returned to power nearly two years ago, Reuters reported.

The Ministry of Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue announced that all beauty salons must close within a month, while providing no reason for the ban.

Beauty salons emerged across the Central Asian country following the United States-led invasion that ousted the Taliban in late 2001.

The armed group returned to power in 2021 following the withdrawal of foreign troops that year, but many of the salons remained opened and provided employment for some women.

Many of them were female-only and have their windows covered so that customers cannot be seen from outside.

However, the recent closures represent yet another set of limitations imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women following their return to power.

In the past year, the authorities have shut down most girls’ high schools, prohibited women from accessing universities, and prevented many female Afghan aid workers from working. Many public places, including bathhouses, gyms, and parks have been closed to women.

Human rights groups and Western governments have criticized the restrictions, saying that they hinder any possible progress toward international recognition for the Taliban administration.

The Taliban has countered that it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan customs.

This story originally appeared in the July 05, 2023 newsletter, Come Visit.