Canada Opens Its Doors To 20,000 Women Leaders, Human Rights Activists From Afghanistan

The news is rife with reports of the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, with more and more women raising serious concerns over their safety and well-being. Reports have people fleeing the country in a bid to escape the Taliban rule. While the world unites in support of the nation, Canada has decided to open its doors and resettle more than 20,000 vulnerable Afghans, including women leaders, human rights workers, and reporters in a bid to protect them from Taliban retaliations. The news comes in addition to Canada’s pervious initiative that welcomed thousands of Afghans, like interpreters, embassy workers and their families, who worked for the Canadian government.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino told Reuters, “As the Taliban continues to take over more of Afghanistan, many more Afghans' lives are under increasing threat.” However, Mendicino did not provide a timeline to the relocation efforts underway.

Defense Minister, Harjit Sajjan, confirmed that some Canadian special forces were in Afghanistan taking part in the relocation effort, but gave no further details on the matter, adding, “The challenges on the ground are quite immense.”

According to Mendicino, the country’s new relocation plan will focus on those who are particularly vulnerable, including women leaders, human rights defenders, reporters, persecuted religious minorities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The plan is open to people who want to leave Afghanistan and those already in neighbouring countries.

Reports suggest that the Taliban have seized Afghanistan's second- and third-largest cities after resistance from the government were crushed. “We know the situation is dire. It’s getting worse by the hour,” said Mendicino.