‘I can go to school. It’s safe here.’ Afghan girls, women and their families come together to share their experiences and mark Mother’s Day

Nabawi and her sister were among about 300 people who gathered in Richmond Hill on Mother’s Day at an outdoor event held to highlight the plight of women in Afghanistan. The Mother’s Day event specifically focused on the Hazara community, an ethno-religious minority group facing increased attacks since the Taliban took over. “We co-ordinated with other organizations to help the Hazara community because they have specific needs, as they are being discriminated against and persecuted,” said Halima Bahman, co-founder of Hazara Women organization. “They need specialized support.”Having fled the Taliban in 1998 over violent attacks against the Hazara, Bahman experienced trauma and persecution first-hand. Event volunteer Suhaila Akbarzada arrived in Canada with three children in 2017, having completed a Grade 4 level of education.