Afghan Women Raise Their Voices in Protest Against Taliban's Latest Ban

In a show of courage and resistance, Afghan women took to the streets to vehemently protest against a recent ban imposed by the Taliban. This ban, which marks another attack on their freedom, targeted beauty salons – one of the remaining outlets of employment for Afghan women. Pushed further into the shadows by the Taliban's restrictive policies, these brave women demand the right to sustain their families and assert their rightful place in society. 

Taliban's Relentless Assault on Women's Freedom 

Barred from Education and Employment 

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the freedom of women has been continuously attacked. Initially, they were stripped of their right to education, being barred from attending schools and colleges. Subsequently, restrictions were placed on their presence in public spaces such as gyms, parks, and even fairs. Additionally, women politicians were targeted and other forms of employment were systematically banned, leaving them in further despair. 

Beauty Salons, A Refuge for Afghan Women 

Empowering Women Economically and Providing Sanctuary 

Beauty salons held multifaceted significance for Afghan women. Beyond being a means of employment, these establishments contributed to the financial independence of Afghan women, often serving as the sole income source for their households. Moreover, salons provided a safe space for women to gather away from the prying eyes of the Taliban. These salons were cherished as a sanctuary, a place where women could network and share their experiences. 

Taliban's Oppressive Decree: The Closure of Salons 

Afghan Women Fuel the Flames of Resistance 

Despite the significance of beauty salons for Afghan women, the Taliban's leaders, including Akunzada, ordered their immediate closure. This oppressive decision was facilitated by the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Citing unIslamic activities and claiming that excessive makeup hindered women's prayers, the Taliban aimed to curtail services offered by salons. Another absurd explanation was that makeovers resulted in financial hardships for poor families, specifically during wedding functions. 

Women's Protest Met With Brutality 

The Fight for Food, Work, and Freedom 

In response to the debilitating ban on beauty salons, approximately 50 courageous salon workers gathered in Kabul, risking their safety to voice their demands for work, sustenance, and freedom. However, the Taliban's enforcers intervened to silence their protests. The enforcers resorted to firing guns into the air, using fire hoses as improvised water cannons, and employing tasers against the women. This excessive force was inflicted upon women who simply sought the opportunity to provide for their families. 

Conclusion: 

As the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan enforces another oppressive ban, Afghan women find themselves at the precipice of despair. Denied the right to education, limited in their employment opportunities, and now forbidden from running beauty salons, their dreams of self-sufficiency and independence hang by a thread. Afghan women have defiantly taken to the streets, calling for their rights to be recognized. However, it remains uncertain if the United Nations or any other international body will take decisive action to address the plight of these women, or if their hopes and futures will be indefinitely silenced, mirroring the closure of their salons.