- Title: Sparse crowds, fewer women as Kabul zoo stays open under Taliban
- Date: 27th September 2021
- Summary: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (SEPTEMBER 26, 2021) (REUTERS) TALIBAN MEMBERS LOOKING INTO ENCLOSURE RABBITS VARIOUS OF MEN LOOKING INTO ENCLOSURE, LION SLEEPING VARIOUS OF ANIMALS IN ENCLOSURE MEN LOOKING IN ENCLOSURE PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) KABUL RESIDENT, ASYA JAN, SAYING: "It is very secluded here. It is not as crowded as before and it is very quiet in terms of security, but the women have reduced their sightseeing a lot." PEOPLE LOOKING AT ENCLOSURE (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) KABUL RESIDENT, ASYA JAN, SAYING: "I ask the government of the Islamic Emirate not to be too strict with women and leave them to take care of their duties and tasks." VARIOUS OF BIRDS IN ENCLOSURE (SOUNDBITE) (Dari) KABUL RESIDENT, MOHAMMAD ALAM, SAYING: "Most of the people are worried about security. In the past, women used to come here a lot, but now they are not at all, very little. I walked in all parts of the zoo and saw only five to six women because people are still worried about security." WOMEN WALKING VARIOUS OF CAMELS EATING MEN WALKING VARIOUS OF BIRDS IN ENCLOSURE LEOPARD SLEEPING PEOPLE LOOKING AT ENCLOSURE VARIOUS OF BIRDS IN ENCLOSURE (SOUNDBITE) STUDENT AND KABUL RESIDENT, MOHAMMAD SALEM, SAYING; "The crowds are much lower than before. We ask the government to work on the duties of civil servants and other sectors, to boost the economy so that people can return to their normal lives, to revitalise the city so that people can have fun." VARIOUS OF OSTRICHES PEOPLE WALKING CHILDREN BY FOUNTAIN VARIOUS OF SIGN FOR KABUL ZOO TRAFFIC MOVING
- Embargoed: 11th October 2021 11:23
- Keywords: Afghanistan Kabul Taliban Zoo animals women
- Location: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
- City: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
- Country: Afghanistan
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001EWHUGJR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Visitors to Kabul's zoo said on Sunday (September 26) that crowds were thinner and fewer women were visiting the attraction after the Taliban takeover amid ongoing security concerns.
"Women used to come here a lot, but now they are not at all, very little. I walked in all parts of the zoo and saw only five to six women because people are still worried about security," said Kabul resident Mohammad Alam.
Crowds appeared thin at the zoo, save for a few visitors and Taliban members. Another resident said the Taliban should boost the economy to revitalise the city, so people can have fun in the Afghan capital.
The economic crisis is among the biggest challenges facing the Taliban 20 years after they were driven from power by a U.S.-led campaign in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Since taking power, the Taliban have grappled with a severe economic crisis and have faced pressure on issues ranging from girls' education to allegations of reprisals against former officials and others associated with the previous government. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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