space with afghan women where we could interact with them away from the scrutiny of the taliban. i remember we chatted, we laughed, we had a cup of tea. we got manicures done. we took a photo of of what our nails looked like afterwards, we saw a bride getting ready for her wedding. for that one hour, ifelt like i could be anywhere in the world away from the reality that awaited these women when they stepped outside of the salon into a world where girls are barred from secondary schools in most provinces, where women can t attend university, where women can t work for domestic or international ngos, they are barred from parks, swimming pools, gyms, public baths, where if they have to travel long distances they have to be escorted by a male relative, where they re expected to wear clothing with only their eyes visible. and for this latest restriction, the taliban aren t even giving a reason, especially and women are asking, this was a female only space. there s no interaction b