Security forces break up protest by Afghan women against beauty salon ban

Dozens of beauticians and makeup artists gathered in the capital Kabul to protest against the ban (Rahmat Gul/AP)

Security forces in Afghanistan used fire hoses, Tasers and fired guns into the air to break up a protest by dozens of women demonstrating against a beauty salon ban.

The Taliban said earlier this month that they were giving all salons in Afghanistan one month to wind down their businesses and shut up shop, drawing concern from international officials worried about the impact on women entrepreneurs.