In a letter sent toKabul municipality on June 26, the Taliban Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has ordered all women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan to cease operations.
The Taliban administration did not provide any reason for banning beauty salons.
In a letter viewed by Rukhshana media, the Ministry has given businesses one month to cease operations after which time salon licenses will be invalid.
“Based on the verbal guidance of Mullah Hebatullah, all beauty salons should stop their activities in Kabul and all across the country,” the letter states.
A member from the union representing beauty in Herat province confirms a copy of the letter was also sent to the union headquarters last week.
‘Nilofar’, as she wishes to be called, told Rukhshana media that she supports her family by working as a beautician. Approximately 2,500 female makeup artists work in Herat province.
“Most makeup artists are the breadwinners of their families. Some makeup artists have lost their husbands, some have lost their children, and they are currently supporting their families with this work,” she said.
The Taliban previously prohibited tattoos and nail implants.
“We accepted that. they ask not to take photos and not allow grooms into salons, we accepted that too. We accepted all their rules but now they have told us not to work.”
She says she is determined to keep her beauty salon open. “None of the members of the beauty industry’s union should collect their rent or close their shops, even if the Taliban shoot us.
A large number of women and girls turned to tailoring and beauty salon work in the wake of the Taliban’s ban on women and girls attending school and university. They now stand to lose one of the last avenues of employment available to them.
Nilofar adds she is confused by the Taliban’s decisions around female employment. “They must either kill all of us or create alternative jobs for us, or just let us work. What should we do if these professions are taken away from us?”
