Afghan Women Unjustly Denied Study Permits

Dear Minister,

I am writing on behalf of CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women), a national, self-funded organization founded in 1919.  With 90 Clubs across Canada and more than 6,700 members, we work nationally and within our communities to achieve equality and social justice through continuous learning and empowerment, granting over $1 million a year in scholarships and awards. On the international stage, one of our efforts is spearheaded by University Women Helping Afghan Women, a group within our Ottawa Club, which is dedicated to supporting education and human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan. From 2010 to 2021, they provided scholarships for more than 100 young women at Gawharshad University in Kabul. They are now funding remote learning in English as a Second Language for 31 students who had been associated with Gawharshad.

As President of the Federation, I am writing to ask that you use your Ministerial authority to facilitate the entry into Canada of Afghan women who have been accepted to study by Canadian post-secondary institutions.

We have become aware that a number of Afghan women, many of whom have won scholarships, have been denied Study Permits due to the Visa Officer’s concern that they may not return to Afghanistan after completing their studies. We believe that this requirement should be waived in the case of Afghan women on humanitarian grounds. As you are no doubt aware, Afghan girls are prohibited from any schooling past grade 6, and must go abroad if they are to obtain an education. This denial of education based on gender by the de facto authority is unique in the world.

The most recent data publicly available regarding Study Permits for Afghans were for 2022. At the time, a mere 170 Afghans were studying in Canada. The approval rate for Study Permits from Afghan applicants from July 2021 to December 2022 was 23%. “The inability to satisfy that the applicants will leave Canada is a reason for refusal present in approximately 93% of refusal letters sent to applicants” (CIMM - Key Numbers: Afghanistan - February 8, 2023).

The Visa Officers are following departmental policy and cannot be criticized despite the horrific situation faced by the women and girls in Afghanistan. A minor change in departmental policy, not legislation, could quickly result in more women earning an education if the duty to return to their home country were waived. We urge you to instruct your department to take action.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Sestock

National President, CFUW

Présidente nationale, FCFDU