After the Taliban seized control back in August 2021, Afghan citizens have been stripped of their rights, especially women. Under Taliban rule, women were banned from seeking employment and education. In a matter of days, 20 years of work towards women’s rights were erased.
Many Afghan women feared for their futures, sought refuge in other countries and were forced to leave behind their homes and family members—such was the case for Amena Mayar and Roya Afshar.
For nearly 17 years, Mayar worked as a journalist in Afghanistan where she covered women’s rights. With the Killid Group, Mayar produced radio talk shows and was also the chief editor of their publication called Mursal which focused on uplifting women’s rights. Later in her career, Mayar worked as an official with the Afghan government.
“But when Taliban took Afghanistan—everything changed. It was a shame for the women who were working outside of the home,” said Mayar.
At first, Mayar was able to continue working as a government official. The Taliban even urged women to join the government when they first overtook Kabul. But they quickly went back on their word and one day, Mayar got a call.
“I was informed that I was not [able to work] anymore. It was very painful for me and for the women who worked with me,” said Mayar.
As the days went on, Mayar grew increasingly concerned about the safety of her and her family. On October 23, 2021, Mayar and her family left Kabul for Albania and after five months, she arrived in Canada as a refugee.
Before the fall of Kabul, Afshar was a gynecologist, lecturer at a private university and domestic abuse outreach worker. Through her work, Afshar helped many women out of domestic abuse situations. In one case, she helped a woman whose husband was a member of the Taliban. After the woman separated from her husband, Afshar started receiving death threats.
“That was before the coming of the Taliban because they were not in Afghanistan yet. They sent letters to threaten me [and] when they came to Afghanistan, they had access to find me too,” said Afshar.
People started showing up at her home and at the hospital, asking about her whereabouts and trying to get ahold of her personal information.
“I was thinking that when they arrest me, they will kill me—what will happen to my son? What will he do?” said Afshar.
Afshar along with her son fled to Turkey and eight months later, they arrived in Canada.
Calls for Canada to increase private sponsorships for Afghan refugees
The Taliban’s reconquest of the country led to many Afghans being displaced, leaving them to seek refuge in neighbouring countries including, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Iran and India. According to the UN, about 1.3 million Afghans escaped to nearby countries since August 2021—many of which were women and children.
Some Afghan refugees, like Adab Shah Gouhari, are waiting until they can receive UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or foreign state refugee status to reunite with their family in Canada. To claim refugee status from outside of Canada, people need to be referred by a designated referral organization like UNHCR.
Although refugees have found safe haven in nearby countries, they remain at risk. In Pakistan, where most Afghan refugees have fled to, they fear being jailed or deported.
“We are being told constantly that we should not move around so freely. We need to restrict our movement [to] one area and try to avoid making much contact even with the locals. So, you live in a constant fear,” said Gouhari.
Canadian Afghans, like Asmat Kashani, are calling for action from the federal government to expedite the refugee process. Back in October 2022, Canada enacted a program which would help sponsor 3,000 Afghan refugees without the need to fulfill status from the UNCHR or another foreign state. Within the first 24 hours, the sponsorships filled up.
Through an online petition, Kashani is asking for the Canadian government to extend the sponsorship program.
“Our people need help so badly and we want to help them. We are taking the financial responsibility. All [the Canadian Government] has to do is to please allow these refugees to come without having UNHCR or the country of the resident having the status of refugee,” said Kashani.
Obtaining refugee status through the UNCHR or another foreign state can be lengthy, and Canadian Afghan families are concerned about when they will see their family members again. As women’s rights are continuously infringed under Taliban rule, immediate action from the Canadian government to bring in more Afghan refugees is vital for their safety.
Many Afghan refugees are stuck in limbo, questioning when they will receive their refugee status.
“There are so many uncertainties in it. You do not know if it will happen, when it will happen, or how long will it take. Those are uncertain questions,” said Gouhari. “So, we do not know even though we have been to the UNCHR offices numerous times.”
Afghan women refugees starting from scratch
Since arriving in Canada, Mayar and Afshar have shared a similar experience—while they are relieved to be safe, they are also disheartened. Both renowned and successful women in Afghanistan are now forced to start their careers and lives from scratch—this has taken a toll on their mental health.
For Afshar, finding a job has been difficult. She plans to return to post-secondary to pursue a career in her field.
“It’s very difficult for me. I sometimes think about how I was an active woman in Afghanistan. In here, I’ve changed to a silent woman—just stay at home, cooking and cleaning,” said Afshar.
Mayar and Afshar are also worried about their family back in Afghanistan.
“When I got to Canada, I’m very happy and very grateful for the government of Canada. I know I’m safe—but mentally, I’m not feeling well because one of my daughters, she is still in Afghanistan. I’m also thinking about all the other women that are living in Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban,” said Mayar.
Like Mayar, Afshar still has family back home and does not know when she will ever see them again—she is currently in the process of finding a way for her mother to emigrate to Canada.
Mayar continues to fight for Afghan women’s rights, organizing protests in Calgary, Alta. and across Canada.
“If there ever comes a government where they support women, I want to go back to Afghanistan and work as a women’s activist—for the women who lost their jobs and their identity,” said Mayar.
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