In Kabul, a young woman expressed the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule since the departure of U.S.-led NATO forces in 2021. With restrictions on movement and rights, including bans on education and employment, women feel suffocated and oppressed. This situation is highlighted by a UN Women report revealing limited access to public spaces for Afghan women.
One woman, referred to as X for safety reasons, worked with Canadian-funded projects in Afghanistan before the Taliban regime. Despite being endorsed for Canada’s Special Immigration Measures Program (SIMs), she never received an invitation to apply. Many Afghans, including X, felt abandoned by the system, with some applications reportedly lost or ignored.
Facing difficulties, X turned to marriage for security but still hopes to immigrate to Canada. Despite the program being full, existing applications are being processed, leaving uncertainty for applicants like X. She remains determined, writing to Canadian officials to reconsider her case and not let the struggles of Afghan women go unnoticed.