Beauty salons in Afghanistan must close by the end of July. Dozens of women have now protested in the capital Kabul. The Taliban then apparently led some demonstrators away.
In the Afghan capital Kabul, dozens of women have protested against the closure of beauty salons ordered by the Taliban. The aim of the demonstration was to persuade the Taliban to rethink.
Videos available to the dpa news agency show women holding up signs on the street and shouting the words “Bread, work, justice”. According to agency reports, the security forces responded with violence. They used water cannons and fired guns in the air to break up the demonstration.
Some women were taken away, as the dpa reported. The Afghan government did not comment on the protest.
Afghan women demonstrate for their rights in front of a beauty salon in Kabul.
UN criticize the actions of security forces
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) criticized the actions of the security forces. UNAMA tweeted that reports of the violent repression of a peaceful protest are worrying. Afghans have the right to express their opinions free from violence.
Women and girls pushed out of public life
The Taliban said in early July that all salons in Afghanistan had until the end of the month to close their shops. They said the salons offered services forbidden by Islam that caused economic hardship for families on the part of the groom before the wedding ceremony. For Afghan women, one of the few remaining earning opportunities is lost.
When the Taliban took power in August 2021, the Islamist Taliban promised to govern more moderately. Recently, their rule has become more authoritarian and dogmatic. In the meantime, women have been pushed out of most of the professions. They are also no longer allowed to attend universities and higher schools.