Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the government in August 2021. In that time, over 60,000 Afghan refugees have found sanctuary in Canada.
Among these refugees is Farkhunda Hashimy, who, along with her family, has been relishing her newfound life and freedom in Saskatoon since their arrival in 2023. Hashimy, a former high school student in Kabul, reminisces about the prosperity she enjoyed before the Taliban regime seized power. In those days, she had the liberty to pursue education and career aspirations — rights that were abruptly stripped away when the Taliban forbade girls from attending university or engaging in any form of work or education beyond Grade 6.
According to the United Nations, the Taliban has enforced around 100 decrees that significantly impact the daily lives of women and girls in Afghanistan. Prior to the regime takeover, the country boasted over 100,000 women in higher education, a stark contrast to the current ban on girls pursuing education beyond a primary level.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, emphasizes the stark transformation in Afghanistan, where women once held prominent roles in various sectors, only to be marginalized and silenced under Taliban rule.
Hashimy, who once aspired to attend university and excel in sports, particularly soccer, saw her dreams shattered by the oppressive regime. The restrictions imposed by the Taliban have not only hindered women’s access to education but have also curtailed their freedom and ability to seek healthcare and employment.
In the face of such challenges, Hashimy and her family made the courageous decision to flee Kabul, seeking safety and opportunity abroad. With the assistance of the 30 Birds Foundation, dedicated to aiding Afghan women and girls in peril, Hashimy and her family made their way to Saskatoon, where they have found solace and support.
Grateful for the foundation’s intervention, Hashimy expresses her deep appreciation for the new life she has been able to build in Canada. She now studies urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan, eager to contribute to the country’s development and progress. Despite her personal growth and achievements, Hashimy remains connected to the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, vowing to empower herself to one day make a difference in their lives.
