2023-07-25 04:20:00
Going to the salon was an escape for many Afghan women, but that was abolished by the Taleb last month (photo: Getty Images)
By order of the Taleb, the Islamic fundamentalist group that runs Afghanistan, all beauty salons in the country will begin to close in the coming weeks.
The closure is estimated to lead to the loss of around 60,000 jobs.
When Taleb took power two years ago, the salons were allowed to continue operating, but the group changed its position on this last month.
The decision further restricts the activities that Afghan women can attend — they are already banned from going to classrooms, gyms and parks.
Zarmina (fictitious name, like everyone else in the article), 23 years old, was in a beauty salon dying her hair dark brown when she learned of the closure order.
“The owner got a big scare and started crying. [O salo] It’s the family’s livelihood,” said the client, a mother of two.
“I couldn’t even look in the mirror while my eyebrow was being done. Everyone was crying. There was silence.”
Zarmina lives in Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, a conservative city where the supreme leader of the Taleb lives.
She says that it is common for men to forbid their daughters to wear makeup or undergo aesthetic procedures.
“Most women walk around in a burqa or hijab [vus] this way. We accept it as part of our culture.”
Zarmina got married at age 16. For her, going to the salon gave her a rare sense of freedom.
“I wasn’t allowed to leave the house alone, but I convinced my husband and managed to [a permisso para] go to the beauty parlor two or three times a year.”
She used to go to the salon with a neighbor, and in addition she developed a strong friendship with one of the salon employees.
(foto: Getty Images)
“In the past, women were able to talk about ways to influence their husbands. Some were open about their insecurities.”
But the economic crisis gradually intruded into their lives after the Taleb regained power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
Women’s freedoms have diminished more and more since then.
“Now, women only talk about unemployment, discrimination and poverty”, says Zarmina.
beautiful memories
Madina covers her head with a veil when she leaves the house. Only her husband and the women in her family can see her colored hair.
The 22-year-old lives in Kabul and closely follows the latest beauty trends online.
“Every woman I know loves to step up her style. I love wearing makeup and staying on top of what’s on trend.”
She says going to the beauty salon has kept her marriage fresh.
“My husband really loves seeing my hair in different colors and cuts.”
“He always takes me to the salon and waits patiently at the door,” she says proudly.
“He compliments my appearance when I go out, which makes me feel good.”
Madina’s ambition was to become a lawyer, but the Taleb prevented women from going to university. She is unable to find work as women are banned from many other roles.
For Afghan women, beauty salons were an important socializing opportunity (photo: Getty Images)
As a child, Madina used to accompany her mother to the salon. She vividly remembers how the women openly shared their life stories with each other.
Today, the weather is different.
“The salon staff no longer wear skirts or jeans, they all wear hijabs.”
“Nobody knows who is a Taleb supporter and nobody wants to talk about politics.”
Back in the day, grooms could watch the bride get ready. Madina still remembers some men taking pictures of their partners inside the salon. Now all of that is forbidden.
(foto: Getty Images)
Madina celebrates that at least she has happy memories of her “big day” to cherish.
“I went to the beauty salon and had a full bridal makeup done before my wedding last year,” she recalls.
“When I looked in the mirror, I looked so beautiful. It transformed me. I couldn’t describe my happiness.”
hidden therapy
For Somaya, 27, from the northwestern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, going to the beauty salon is a necessity.
Three years ago, the heater in her room exploded and she suffered burns to her face, losing her eyebrows and eyelashes.
“I couldn’t bear to look at my face. I was ugly,” she says, her voice emotional.
“I thought everyone was looking at me and laughing at me because my eyebrows were gone. I stopped going out for a few months. I cried a lot during that time.”
Medical treatment healed her wounds, while the beauty salon helped her regain her self-esteem.
Some beauty salons were vandalized as soon as Taleb took over (photo: Getty Images)
“I went to the beauty salon and got microblading [uma forma semipermanente de preencher as sobrancelhas]. It made my appearance a lot better,” she says.
“When I looked at my eyebrows, I started to cry. They were tears of joy. The beauty salon brought me back to life.”
Somaya has a master’s degree in psychology and works as a mental health counselor. She has seen the number of women seeking her services increase since the Taleb imposed sweeping restrictions.
She is not alone in using the salon as a form of “therapy”.
“For us, salons were more than places to put on makeup. They helped us hide our hurts. They were places that gave us energy and hope.”
Zarmina agrees. As she walked home that June day, on what would be her last trip to the salon, she kept looking back.
She was fully aware of what she was missing–her small chance at independence.
“I used to pay at the salon, which gave me strength and power. Today I have money, but I can’t spend it on myself at the beauty salon. It makes me feel poor.”
#Afghans #lament #Taleb #ban #beauty #salons #Places #gave #hope #International