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 individuals. Among them is Farkhunda Hashimy, who, along with her family, arrived in Saskatoon in 2023 and has been relishing her newfound life and freedom.
Hashimy, who was a high school student in Kabul when the Taliban seized power, reminisced about the better times in Afghanistan before the regime change. She highlighted the rights she enjoyed, such as attending high school and pursuing further education and career aspirations. However, after the Taliban’s rise to power, these opportunities evaporated, with girls being banned from higher education beyond Grade 6.
According to the United Nations, the Taliban has issued approximately 100 decrees that heavily impact the daily lives of women and girls in Afghanistan. Prior to the Taliban’s rule, the country had over 100,000 women engaged in higher education. Today, women are restricted from holding prominent positions in government and are limited in their educational pursuits.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, is actively building a case against the Taliban for the International Court of Justice. Arnpriester lamented the erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan over the past five years, characterized by severe restrictions on education, employment, and public engagement.
Hashimy, who had aspirations of becoming a university student and an athlete, saw her dreams shattered by the Taliban’s restrictions. The oppressive policies enforced by the Taliban have not only stifled women’s educational and career prospects but have also curtailed their access to healthcare and overall freedom.
In response to the dire situation in Afghanistan, Hashimy’s family sought refuge and safety outside their homeland. With the assistance of the 30 Birds Foundation, dedicated to aiding Afghan women and girls in peril, Hashimy and her family found sanctuary in Saskatoon, Canada, where she is currently pursuing urban planning studies at the University of Saskatchewan.
Reflecting on her new life in Canada, Hashimy expressed gratitude for the opportunities and safety she now enjoys. She emphasized her commitment to empowering women back in Afghanistan and expressed a strong desire to contribute to the development and progress of her new homeland, Canada. Despite the distance, her thoughts remain with the women and girls enduring the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, fueling her determination to make a positive impact in their lives.