“O Canada” echoed through the convocation hall at Carleton University in Ottawa, as Maryam Sahar stood waiting for her moment to cross the stage and officially graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in political science.
This was a proud moment for the Afghan-born, former interpreter with the Canadian Armed Forces, and one she had dreamed of for over a decade. Sahar came to Canada alone at the age of 17 and says her only goal was to get an education.
As she crossed the stage in her black graduation robe, the latest steps of a long journey, her thoughts turned to her homeland, and to the women and girls now facing tighter restrictions each day under Taliban rule.
“The women of Afghanistan have the same dreams as me,” she said. “They want to do well, they want an education.”
Graduation day strengthened Sahar’s resolve to push the Canadian government to fulfil its promise to bring 40,000 vulnerable Afghans to the country and out of the Taliban’s reach.