UN Reports Taliban Now Targeting Afghan Men Over Grooming
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has now begun targeting men, according to a report by the United Nations. The United Nations stated that men who style or trim their hair in modern and fashionable ways are being arrested. Barbers who perform these haircuts are also being detained.
After having imposed a series of restrictions on women under the pretext of upholding tradition and religious morality, the Taliban are now extending their control over men as well. The United Nations expressed deep concern over these developments, highlighting that the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in the Taliban administration is responsible for enforcing such measures.
The same ministry issued a special set of guidelines in August last year. These rules govern behavior on public transport such as buses and trains, and also address topics such as shaving, music, and celebrations during festivals. According to these regulations, women are prohibited from showing their faces in public or speaking publicly. The Taliban administration appointed 3,300 inspectors to ensure these rules are enforced.
The United Nations noted that most of those arrested are men who either trimmed or shaved their beards in styles not approved by the regime, as well as the barbers who provided these services. Additionally, individuals who failed to offer prayers regularly during the holy month of Ramadan were also arrested.
The United Nations further stated that the Taliban's continued suppression of women's access to education and employment is causing Afghanistan to lose approximately 1.4 billion US dollars annually.