Taliban forces have forced women to close their tailoring shops in the capital of Balkh province, sources say.
A tailor in Zalal market of Mazar-e-Sharif market, who preferred not to be named, said that the Taliban started closing the market’s tailoring shops run by women on August 26.
“After the warnings from the Taliban, I closed my shop a while ago and brought my belongings home,” the tailor said. “Everyday the Taliban would come at the market and threaten us saying, ‘Women don’t have the right to work outside’.”
Another source* told Rukhshana Media there were about 10 women’s tailoring shops in the fourth floor of Zalal market. She said several women worked in each shop and earned a living in this way.
A female tailor* told Rukhshana Media that she earned about 1,000 to 1,500 afghanis ($14-20 USD) a day, and with this money, she could cover her family’s living expenses; But now she does not know what fate awaits her and her family.
Taliban de facto authorities have not officially banned women tailors nationally as they have with other professions and businesses. Most recently beauticians were banned and beauty salons closed. Even women offering services from home have been shut down.
It’s believed more than 60,000 working women were left jobless after the decree banning beauty salons.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has also banned girls and women from secondary education, university, amusement parks, traveing log dostances alone, gyms, working in NGOs, national parks, garden restaurants, and many professions.
*These women have requested not to be named for fear of repercussions from the Taliban
