"Courageous" Women's Beauty Salon, "A Bubble Of Freedom" In Taliban's Kabul

Taliban Takeover: Since the Taliban seized Kabul in mid-August, many women have disappeared from public spaces, driven into private areas out of fear and threats.

It is one of the last places in Kabul where women can meet outside their households, a bubble of freedom and even frivolity away from the gaze of men.

Mohadessa has kept her beauty salon open despite threats from Afghanistan's new rulers.

Since the Taliban seized Kabul in mid-August, many women have disappeared from public spaces, driven into private areas out of fear and sometimes very real threats.

But Mohadessa's beauty salon has, for now, remained a place where women can relax among themselves outside the household and share their woes -- or forget them in favour of fun and fashion.