Several 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.

Zalmai Rasoul, the Afghanistan Ambassador to London, has responded to the suspension of consular activities by some Afghan consulates in European countries, stating that the Afghan consulate in the United Kingdom will continue its operations without interruption.

In a statement released on Tuesday, July 30th, he affirmed the embassy’s commitment to supporting the rights and interests of Afghan citizens abroad.

Ambassador Rasoul emphasized that “the Afghanistan Embassy in London firmly declares that all consular and diplomatic services will continue without any disruption.” He added that “we are committed to supporting the rights and interests of Afghan citizens abroad and will utilize all our resources and facilities to provide the best possible services.”

Yesterday, the Taliban Foreign Ministry announced that the activities of 14 Afghanistan diplomatic and consular missions in European countries, which operate without coordination with the ministry, were deemed “unauthorized and a clear violation of accepted principles.”

The ministry’s statement indicated that the Afghanistan missions in London, Belgium, Berlin, Bonn, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia were considered invalid due to their refusal to cooperate and coordinate with the ministry.

In response, Nazifullah Salarzi, the Afghanistan Ambassador to Belgium, has confirmed that consular services at all Afghanistan consular missions in Belgium and the European Union will continue. He asserted that the Afghanistan Embassy in Belgium remains recognized by the host country.

The conflicting statements from Afghanistan’s diplomatic representatives highlight ongoing issues within Afghanistan’s foreign service operations. Despite the Taliban administration’s decision to invalidate certain consular activities, key representatives, such as those in London and Brussels, maintain their commitment to uninterrupted service.

This comes amid the fact that no countries currently recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan as a legitimate government.

The resolution of these discrepancies will be crucial in ensuring the effective representation and support of Afghanistan citizens abroad.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan has announced that the country has conducted $10 billion in trade over the past year.

In a statement released on Wednesday, July 31st, the ministry highlighted the achievements of the past year, detailing that this total includes $1.8 billion in exports and over $8 billion in imports.

However, this imbalance is a concerning indicator of the country’s economic health. The disproportionate ratio of imports to exports suggests a troubling dependency on foreign goods and services, which may undermine local industries and contribute to a persistent trade deficit.

The statement also noted significant increases in exports to various countries, with Kazakhstan up by 2.5%, China by 16%, Iran by 19%, Turkey by 53%, and Russia by 54%. Additionally, the ministry reported that 100 new production factories have started operations, approximately 1,000 industrial companies have been issued licenses, and over 23,000 investment licenses have been renewed.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that over the past year, direct employment opportunities have been created for 646,015 individuals, while indirect opportunities have reached around 4.4 million. The ministry attributed these job opportunities to the empowerment of small and medium enterprises and various agreements.

Previously, the National Statistics and Information Authority had reported that Afghanistan’s export and import value for the fiscal year 1402 reached $10.3 billion.

Meanwhile, there is a significant imbalance between exports and imports. This discrepancy not only raises questions about the sustainability of economic growth but also signals potential vulnerabilities in Afghanistan’s trade strategy and economic stability. Addressing these disparities will be crucial for achieving a more balanced and resilient economy.