As news broke that the Taliban had captured kabul some images of uncovered women adorning the walls of beauty salons in the Afghan capital were painted over.
The Taliban says it has changed, promising that women living under their rule will have more rights this time around.
But it appeared that the people painting over the signs were not taking any chances.
It should be noted that when the Taliban last ruled in Afghanistan 20 years ago, women were barred from public life and only allowed outside when escorted by men and dressed in burqas.
Many fear the return of those conditions now the Taliban has retaken control of the country.
The disappearing pictures of women were just one sign of the new reality Kabul woke up to on Monday.
The city was still in shock at the blistering speed with which the Taliban had managed to take over, its streets quiet and gripped by fear, with noticeably fewer women out and about.
The city was still in shock at the blistering speed with which the Taliban had managed to take over, its streets eerily quiet and gripped by fear, with noticeably fewer women out and about.
The city’s fall to the Taliban was over within hours, with barely a shot fired. Afghan security forces patrolling the presidential palace were replaced by Taliban fighters, and checkpoints were established across the city within hours.
Appearing relaxed and jubilant at their victory, Taliban fighters outside the presidential palace said that their main job now was to provide security and make sure there was no looting or criminality during the handover of power.
When asked about smoking bans, mandatory beards and other rules the group has imposed on civilians in the past, the fighters told said that implementation of laws won’t be drastic or immediate.
