Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the government’s collapse in August 2021. During this time, Canada has provided refuge to more than 60,000 Afghan nationals.
Farkhunda Hashimy, a former high school student from Kabul, is among those who have found sanctuary in Canada. She and her family relocated to Saskatoon in 2023, where they have been relishing their newfound freedom and opportunities.
Hashimy reminisces about the quality of life she enjoyed in Afghanistan before the Taliban regime seized power. She had aspirations of pursuing higher education and a career but saw her dreams shattered when the Taliban prohibited girls from attending school beyond Grade 6.
According to the United Nations, the Taliban has implemented over 100 decrees that severely impact the daily lives of Afghan women and girls. Prior to the regime change, Afghanistan boasted a significant number of women in higher education and prominent positions in society, which have now been stripped away.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel with the Open Society Justice Initiative, is actively building a case against the Taliban for their actions, intending to bring justice to the International Court of Justice.
Hashimy had envisioned a future in sports and academia, particularly in soccer, but these opportunities vanished post-Taliban rule. The restrictions imposed extend beyond education, affecting women’s ability to work, access healthcare, and even speak in public.
Despite the challenges, Hashimy and her family found solace in Canada through the assistance of the 30 Birds Foundation, a group dedicated to aiding Afghan women and girls in seeking safety abroad. Hashimy is currently pursuing urban planning studies at the University of Saskatchewan, embracing the opportunities for personal and professional growth that Canada offers.
While grateful for her new life in Canada, Hashimy remains deeply connected to the struggles faced by women and girls in Afghanistan. She aims to empower herself to eventually support those still living under the oppressive regime, emphasizing that their pain is her motivation for personal growth and advocacy.