Taliban Closes Beauty Salons in Afghanistan

The Taliban has closed all beauty salons in Afghanistan, one of the few public spaces where women could freely gather. The order, which came into effect on July 31, has been met with widespread anger and protests from women’s rights activists. The Taliban says that the closure of beauty salons is necessary to uphold Islamic law. However, critics say that the order is discriminatory and will further restrict the rights of women in Afghanistan. The closure of beauty salons is just the latest in a series of restrictions that the Taliban has imposed on women since it took control of the country in August 2021. The Taliban has banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, and women are no longer allowed to work in government or hold public office. The human rights situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban takeover. The United Nations has documented a significant increase in civilian casualties, and women and girls are particularly at risk. The closure of beauty salons is a further blow to the rights of women in Afghanistan. It is a reminder that the Taliban is determined to roll back the clock on women’s rights, and that the international community must do more to hold the Taliban accountable.