Rodriguez is quick to note that her school's 182 graduates have seen their incomes grow significantly. Education for women was banned under the Taliban, so many Afghan women are illiterate. Many are war widows, or are otherwise isolated or shunned by society, and without a source of income.

With beauty-school skills -- which include waxing (all body hair must be removed before a wedding, by Afghan custom) -- women who had earned $40 a month are now able to make $400 to $1,000 a month.

"It is the one and only industry in the country that women can own and operate without male influence," she said. "Women can do carpet weaving, chickens, eggs, tailoring -- but a man can interrupt that at any point."

The beauty school is an anomaly. "Men cannot see uncovered women. They are not allowed in the building," she said. "It's a sanctuary."