Five years have passed since the Taliban took over Afghanistan following the collapse of the government in August 2021. During this time, Canada has provided refuge to more than 60,000 Afghan individuals, one of whom is Farkhunda Hashimy. Residing in Saskatoon since arriving with her family in 2023, Hashimy reflects on her previous life as a high school student in Kabul before the Taliban’s control.
Hashimy reminisces about the opportunities she had in Afghanistan before the Taliban regime, where she could attend high school and aspire to pursue further education and a career. However, after the Taliban’s rise to power, these prospects were abruptly halted for women and girls in the country. The Taliban implemented strict decrees affecting the daily lives of women and girls, leading to severe restrictions on education and public life.
Despite the challenges faced in Afghanistan, Hashimy is grateful for the new life and freedom she has found in Canada. She expresses her appreciation for the 30 Birds Foundation, which facilitated the relocation of her family from Kabul to Saskatoon, providing them with safety and opportunities for a better future. Hashimy now studies urban planning at the University of Saskatchewan and is determined to contribute to the development of new cities in Canada.
While embracing her new life in Canada, Hashimy’s thoughts are with the women and girls still enduring hardships under the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan. She remains motivated to succeed and hopes to use her accomplishments to support and empower those facing challenges back in her homeland.