Shuttered salons deprive Kuwaiti women of social outlet
Warda is a 37-year-old teacher whose family only allow her to go to two places: work, and the beauty salon that was her only social outlet before coronavirus restrictions shut it down.
Since salons nationwide closed their doors three months ago to curb the spread of the pandemic, she has been depressed and frustrated.
She said she misses chatting and relaxing at the plush venues.
“I’m from a conservative family and don’t go out much, but I go to the salon to enjoy myself… you can’t imagine how much fun I used to have there,” Warda told AFP.
“I’m waiting patiently for it to reopen. I can’t imagine my life without it.”
While Kuwaiti society is one of the most open-minded in the Gulf, with women in top government positions, some traditional families impose tight restrictions.
This means that for some women, going alone to malls, coffee shops or even to exercise is out of the question.
But going to beauty salons, usually run entirely by women, is an acceptable break from the routine of work and home.
Others from more liberal families are also big fans, seeing the salons as the equivalent of the traditional daily “diwaniya” when men traditionally gather to chat, drink coffee and smoke shisha. (AFP)