The Taliban’s morality police have frequently detained men and their barbers over banned hairstyles, according to a new United Nations report released Thursday. These arrests have occurred since the Taliban introduced a strict virtue and vice law six months ago.
More than half of the detentions involved men’s appearance. The law prohibits hairstyles considered Western and enforces strict beard length rules. Authorities also arrested people who missed Ramadan prayers.
The Taliban’s virtue and vice ministry has enforced the law more strictly than past rules. Thousands of inspectors and 28 provincial committees monitor compliance nationwide. People caught breaking the law can be jailed for up to three days. Families usually must promise good behavior for the detainees’ release, which pressures households to enforce Taliban rules.
While more men have been detained, the law impacts women more heavily. Women are banned from traveling without a male guardian, speaking unnecessarily, or even looking at unrelated men. By December 2024, about half of Afghanistan’s humanitarian groups could no longer meet with women.
The report also highlights the law’s economic effects. Many small businesses serving women—such as hairdressers, wedding planners, and tailors—have shut down. Women are barred from most jobs, and many people avoid public life, weakening the local economy.
Previous Taliban restrictions have already harmed Afghanistan’s economy. After bans on girls’ education in 2022, many families sent daughters abroad, sending money out of the country. A World Bank study estimates these bans cost Afghanistan $1.4 billion annually.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to send $40 million weekly to Afghanistan’s de facto government. Congressman Tim Burchett recently introduced a bill to cut off this aid. The bill passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee and now awaits debate in the full House. Last year, a similar effort failed in the Senate.
