KABUL, July 4 (Reuters) - The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has ordered beauty salons to close within a month, the morality ministry said, in the latest shrinking of access to public places for Afghan women.
Foreign governments and U.N. officials have condemned growing restrictions on women since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 after defeating a U.S.-backed government as foreign forces withdrew.
Many public places including bathhouses, gyms and parks have been closed to women.
Western government and international organisations have signalled that restrictions on women are hampering any possible progress to international recognition for the Taliban administration.
The administration says it respects women's rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan customs.
Persons:
Mohammad Sadiq Akif, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Charlotte Greenfield, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
Ministry, Thomson
Locations:
KABUL, Afghanistan, U.S, Kabul, United States