The international organization Global Issue has stated in a recent report that the Taliban continue to systematically suppress women and target expressions of their independence and identity—even within their own homes.
According to the report, published this week, the Taliban regard women’s cosmetics as a threat to their authority. They have raided homes, confiscating personal belongings and beauty products from female beauticians, thereby jeopardizing their personal safety.
Global Issue highlighted in its report that following the official closure of beauty salons across Afghanistan, the Taliban began inspecting homes suspected of secretly offering beauty services to women.
The report notes that in February of this year, Taliban moral police raided several homes in Sar-e Pol province, confiscated all cosmetic items, and issued threats to their owners.
Criticizing these actions, Global Issue wrote: “The Taliban consider women a threat to their desired system. Even the simplest use of cosmetics is seen by the Taliban as a symbol of women’s independence and personal agency—something they are determined to eliminate.”
This comes after the Taliban, in July 2023, issued an order for the closure of all women’s beauty salons across the country.
