Five years have passed since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan following the government’s collapse in August 2021. During this time, Canada has provided refuge to over 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 liberty.
Hashimy, a former high school student in Kabul, reminisced about the positive life she led before the Taliban’s ascent to power. She recalled having the freedom to attend high school, pursue higher education, and aspire to a career. However, the regime’s takeover abruptly ended these opportunities for her and other women in Afghanistan.
According to the United Nations, the Taliban has implemented approximately 100 decrees that severely impact the daily lives of women and girls in the country. Before the Taliban’s rule, there were over 100,000 women engaged in higher education, a stark contrast to the current ban on girls beyond Grade 6.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, shared insights on the drastic changes in women’s rights under the Taliban regime. She is actively developing a case against the Taliban for the International Court of Justice.
Hashimy, who once dreamed of pursuing higher education and excelling in sports, particularly soccer, expressed her disappointment at the closed doors post-regime change.
The severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban, including the ban on women’s secondary and higher education, have significantly hindered women’s ability to pursue education, careers, and access healthcare in Afghanistan.
Hashimy and her family, recognizing the dangers they faced in Kabul, sought safety outside Afghanistan. Through connections in Canada and the United States, they found refuge with the 30 Birds Foundation, which aids Afghan women and girls in relocating to safer environments.
The foundation facilitated the relocation of more than 400 Afghan women and girls, including Hashimy and her family, to Saskatoon. Hashimy expressed immense gratitude towards the foundation for saving their lives.
Since arriving in Canada, Hashimy has completed high school and is now studying urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan. Despite embracing her new life in Saskatchewan, her thoughts remain with the women and girls enduring hardships back in Afghanistan.
Hashimy emphasized feeling “safe” upon arriving in Canada, where she can pursue her educational and career aspirations. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the development of cities in the country and hopes to one day support those still suffering under the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan.