Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the collapse of the government in August 2021. During this time, more than 60,000 Afghan refugees have found a new home in Canada.
Among these refugees is Farkhunda Hashimy, who arrived in Saskatoon with her family in 2023 and has been relishing the freedom and opportunities her new life offers. Originally a high school student in Kabul, Hashimy reminisces about the days when she had the freedom to pursue education and career aspirations before the Taliban regime seized power.
Hashimy’s dreams of attending university and becoming an athlete, particularly in soccer, were abruptly halted by the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights. The Taliban’s decrees have severely curtailed women’s daily lives, including banning girls from education beyond Grade 6 and restricting their movement and speech.
Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, is advocating against these oppressive measures and is preparing a case against the Taliban for the International Court of Justice. Arnpriester emphasizes the stark difference in women’s rights and freedoms in Afghanistan before and after the Taliban’s rule.
Hashimy’s family’s decision to flee Kabul was driven by the escalating threats they faced due to their dissent against the regime’s restrictions. With the help of the 30 Birds Foundation, dedicated to aiding Afghan women and girls seeking safety, Hashimy and her family made their way to Saskatoon, where they have found refuge and support.
Expressing deep gratitude for the foundation’s assistance, Hashimy is now studying urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan and is eager to contribute to Canada’s development. Despite her newfound opportunities, Hashimy remains deeply connected to the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan still living under oppressive conditions.
Her resolve to succeed in her new life in Canada is fueled by a sense of responsibility towards those she left behind. Hashimy’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
