AFP's coverage of cosmetic surgery in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan recognised at SOPA Awards 2026

What began as curiosity about hair transplant ads around Kabul uncovered a quiet reality: women turning to cosmetic procedures as beauty salons remain shuttered under Taliban rule. Getting the story out required patience, trust, and careful consideration for everyone involved. 

The AFP photographer behind the coverage, Wakil Kohsar, described how delicate the shoot had to be: 

"Often, the visually appealing angles and images were difficult to capture, as some patients, especially women, did not allow me to take their picture. Some doctors were also unwilling to have surgical procedures photographed. Clinic managers and the medical team were worried and afraid of the Taliban authorities, fearing that the report would affect their business and lead to the closure of their clinic." 

The judges noted: 

"This series provides a rare look at a side of Afghan life that usually stays hidden, especially under restrictive conditions. It’s an intimate look at how people try to hold onto their identity, captured with impressive access and a clear respect for the subjects' privacy and safety. I love the way magazine covers are used into the photos: they become context, story, and protagonist of the narrative.” 

An AFP video trailer was also screened at the opening of the Society of Publishers in Asia Awards Dinner showcased the agency's journalism across the region over the past year. 

From the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and civil unrest in Nepal, to a deadly fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, and the rise of DeepSeek AI, in under two minutes, the trailer placed AFP teams at the heart of the stories that defined Asia.