Afghan Women Defy Taliban Restrictions by Engaging in Hair Trade

 In a bold act of defiance against the Taliban’s oppressive policies, Afghan women are increasingly participating in the hair trade as a means of financial independence. Despite the Taliban’s stringent restrictions on women’s rights and economic activities, many are selling their hair to support their families amid a deteriorating economic landscape.

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The hair trade, which involves selling hair to be made into wigs and extensions, has become a vital source of income for women who have been barred from most forms of employment and education. This underground economy not only provides financial relief but also represents a form of resistance against the Taliban’s gender-based oppression.​

Engaging in the hair trade carries significant risks, as the Taliban enforces strict codes of conduct and has been known to punish those who defy their regulations. Nevertheless, the resilience and determination of Afghan women continue to manifest through such clandestine economic activities, highlighting their unwavering pursuit of autonomy and survival under the Taliban.