Canada urged to assist Afghan women scholars facing deportation

Activists are urging the Canadian government to assist Afghan women who are facing deportation due to cuts in U.S. scholarships. These scholarships have allowed Afghan women to study abroad, but recent changes under the Trump administration have jeopardized their education and safety if they are sent back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Hela Sedeqi, a 19-year-old student in Vancouver, fears for her peers who could lose their scholarships. Since arriving in Canada, she has found a chance for education that was impossible back home, where women are denied schooling. Over 120 Afghan women risk losing their scholarships from USAID, which funded their education in countries like Qatar and Oman. The Trump administration ended the scholarship program, citing waste and misalignment with U.S. foreign policy. Students were informed via email that their scholarships would be cut, and travel arrangements to return to Afghanistan would be made. Activists warn that these women could face severe consequences if they return, as the Taliban impose strict bans on women’s education and public life. Friba Rezayee, head of a Vancouver organization that supports Afghan students, reports urgent pleas for help from scholarship recipients. The situation has created anxiety and panic among students, as they fear for their safety and educational futures. The U.S. government plans to fund the scholarships only until June 30 of this year, leaving many uncertain about their future. Efforts are underway to request an extension of the scholarships so that students can graduate, but the outcome is unclear. Experts believe that Canadian universities could play a crucial role in supporting these students through new scholarships and pathways to study in Canada. Global Affairs Canada is monitoring the situation but emphasizes each country’s right to determine its foreign policies. Activists like Sedeqi are calling for immediate action to bring Afghan students to safety, stating that their lives depend on it.