Taliban close women’s bathhouses in Badghis
Several women’s bathhouse owners in Badghis province tell Zan Times that the directorate of vice and virtue of the Taliban ordered them shut until further notice.
Farhanaz, an owner of a women’s bathhouse is Bagghis who asks that a pseudonym be used for her name, says, “The Taliban came to my husband today and told him, ‘Tell your wife not to go to the bathhouse and not to work anymore, otherwise we will deal with you according to our law.’”
She considers her work in a bathhouse not only a service to women but also that it provides essential economic support to her family. Even with such actions, Farhanaz believes the Taliban cannot prevent the progress of women.
Freshta, another woman from Badghisi who asks that her real name not be used, confirmed the closure of bathhouses, saying, “The Taliban told us that, after this, women can only bathe in their homes.”
The Taliban offered bathhouse owners only one way to stay open – to convert women’s facilities to men’s bathhouses, Freshta adds.
According to her, the directorate of vice and virtue of the Taliban threatened huge fines for anyone who disobeys the order.
The new rules regarding women’s bathhouses is the latest in a series of orders aimed at excluding females from society. Businesswomen in Daikundi province were recently told by the Taliban’s directorate of vice and virtue that they can’t conduct business with male clients and employers.
