Taliban shuts Afghanistan beauty salons, adding to the list of restrictions

The Taliban has enforced a ban on women's beauty salons in Afghanistan, adding yet another restriction to the list of measures affecting women's rights in the country.

The ban came into effect on Tuesday, following the deadline set by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue on July 4, as reported by Tolo News.

What

The decree declared that women's beauty salons in Kabul and other provinces across Afghanistan were no longer permitted to operate after July 23. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed support for women's rights and entrepreneurship, urging a reversal of the ban's impact on the economy.

"The Secretary-General supports the efforts by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has called on the de facto authorities to halt the edict closing beauty salons. UNAMA has said that this restriction on women's rights will impact negatively on the economy and contradicts support for women's entrepreneurship, and we're seeking a reversal of the bans," Farhan Haq told Tolo news. 

The crisis

The ban has left beauty salon owners struggling to provide for their families. Mastora, who has been in the beauty salon industry for two decades, mentioned that she worked alongside ten other women, each financially supporting their families through their work at the salon.

The closure of the salon has deeply affected their livelihoods and well-being.

According to Kabul Municipality spokesperson Nematullah Barakzai, women's beauty salons' business licenses will become invalid after a specific date in the solar calendar, and they won't be allowed to operate until further notice.

Other bans affecting women in Afghanistan

Women banned from the UN: In April 2023, the United Nations warned its national staff in Afghanistan, including over 3,000 men and women, not to go to their offices for their safety, especially female staff. The Taliban authorities stated that no Afghan women would be allowed to work for the UN in Afghanistan anymore.

No education beyond sixth grade: In April 2023, the Taliban banned girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade, extending this restriction even to universities.

Although authorities claim this restriction is temporary, schools and universities resumed classes in March without admitting female students.

Ban on women in humanitarian organisations: In December 2022, the Taliban ordered all local and foreign NGOs to prevent their female employees from working, citing violations of the administration's interpretation of the Islamic dress code for women.

Women stopped from entering amusement parks: In November 2022, the Taliban's morality ministry announced restrictions on women entering amusement parks in Kabul, limiting their access to these public spaces. Gender segregation rules only allow women to visit parks on specific days, while men have more days available for park visits, as per BBC report. 

Female travel restrictions: In 2021, women traveling beyond 72 kilometers were required to be accompanied by a close male relative. Vehicle drivers were instructed not to pick up female passengers who were not wearing an Islamic hijab covering their hair.

The country faces severe food insecurity, affecting nearly 20 million people, with over 6.1 million on the brink of experiencing famine-like conditions.

When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they promised a more moderate rule compared to their previous time in power from 1996 to 2001.

However, there is growing global concern as the Taliban imposes strict interpretations of Islamic law, affecting the rights and freedoms of women and girls.

Also Read: 6 restrictions Afghanistan women face under Taliban rule