Five years have passed since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the government’s collapse in August 2021. During this time, Canada has embraced more than 60,000 Afghan refugees, including Farkhunda Hashimy. Hashimy, who previously resided in Kabul, reminisced about her life before the Taliban’s rule. She highlighted the freedom she once had to pursue education and a career, which drastically changed after the regime seized power.
According to the United Nations, the Taliban has issued approximately 100 decrees affecting the daily lives of women and girls in Afghanistan. Prior to the Taliban’s control, there were over 100,000 women enrolled in higher education, but now girls are restricted from education beyond Grade 6. Natasha Arnpriester, a senior legal counsel at the Open Society Justice Initiative, is preparing a case against the Taliban for the International Court of Justice, emphasizing the significant regression in women’s rights in the country.
Hashimy, who aspired to attend university and become an athlete, saw her dreams shattered by the Taliban’s restrictions. Afghanistan stands as the sole nation globally to bar women from secondary and higher education, enforcing stringent regulations that limit women from basic freedoms like leaving their homes without a male companion and speaking in public.
Hashimy and her family eventually sought refuge in Canada through the assistance of the 30 Birds Foundation, which aids Afghan women and girls in relocating to safety. Grateful for the support she received, Hashimy expressed her deep appreciation for the foundation that helped her transition to Saskatoon, where she now studies urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan.
Despite embracing her new life in Canada, Hashimy remains connected to the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule. Her experiences motivate her to strive for personal growth and success so she can one day assist those still suffering in her homeland.