Afghanistan Peace CampaignSeveral female beauticians have told The Guardian that they have been forced to establish secret beauty salons due to economic hardships.
The Guardian reported on Thursday that female beauticians under Taliban rule are living in fear and anxiety. One woman told the newspaper, “They stone and whip us, but I continue to work as a beautician.”
Following a Taliban order that led to the closure of women’s beauty salons, more than 12,000 salons have been shut down, resulting in over 60,000 women losing their jobs.
In July 2023, the Taliban banned and closed all women’s beauty salons across Afghanistan. The Guardian noted that this directive led to the closure of over 12,000 salons, with an estimated 60,000 women losing their jobs.
Now, under economic pressure, some female beauticians have started underground salons, operating in secrecy and fear.
One beautician in Kabul told The Guardian that she “never imagined she would have to work secretly.” She is worried about being fined or imprisoned if her salon is discovered.
Some women have set up beauty salons in their homes. To avoid detection, they use various techniques to manage client visits, purchase beauty supplies, and navigate their own movements.
One beautician explained, “We use techniques to avoid arrest. For example, my clients wear a special-colored burqa so I know they are customers.”
She added, “I avoid using the same route and try to travel at irregular hours.”
Concerns are high that neighbors, beauty supply vendors, or fake clients who might be Taliban informants could expose them, leading to arrests.
One beautician lamented to The Guardian, “We are all prisoners of the Taliban. Being born a woman is my greatest crime.”
The ban on women’s beauty salons has faced widespread backlash. In late July, the UN Special Representative condemned the ban as a setback for poverty reduction and economic improvement.
The International Labour Organization also warned that the ban would significantly reduce women’s employment opportunities.
The plight of women in Afghanistan extends beyond the closure of beauty salons. The Taliban’s restrictions on education and employment have severely impacted women’s lives, confining them to limited roles and stifling their opportunities for economic independence.
The escalating insecurity and rising militant groups in the region further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Women are increasingly vulnerable to violence and repression amid the deteriorating security situation, highlighting the urgent need for international support and intervention.