Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the government in August 2021. During this time, Canada has provided refuge to more than 60,000 Afghan nationals.
Among the refugees, Farkhunda Hashimy stands out. Arriving in Saskatoon with her family in 2023, she has embraced her newfound freedom and life in Canada after experiencing the upheaval in Kabul as a high school student under Taliban rule.
Reflecting on her past in Afghanistan, Hashimy recalls a time when she had the opportunity to pursue education and career aspirations freely. However, the Taliban’s restrictions abruptly halted her plans, preventing girls from accessing education beyond Grade 6 and severely limiting women’s rights in the country.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, is actively pursuing legal action against the Taliban for their oppressive decrees impacting women and girls in Afghanistan. She emphasizes the stark contrast between the pre-Taliban era, where women held prominent positions in society, and the current reality of severe restrictions on women’s rights.
Hashimy, who once dreamt of attending university and becoming an athlete, found her aspirations dashed by the Taliban’s regime. This shift in societal norms has left many women and girls in Afghanistan devoid of basic rights, including access to education and employment opportunities.
The transition to Canada provided Hashimy and her family with a sense of safety and hope for a better future. The 30 Birds Foundation played a crucial role in facilitating their relocation to Saskatoon, along with over 400 other Afghan women and girls, offering them a chance at a new beginning.
Hashimy, now studying urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan, expresses gratitude for the opportunities Canada has offered her. Despite the distance, her thoughts remain with the women and girls left behind in Afghanistan, driving her to work towards a brighter future for them. She envisions contributing to the development of new cities in Canada while never forgetting her roots and the struggles faced by women in her homeland.