Welcome Afghan women like we do Ukrainians

Canada needs to step up for the women and girls of Afghanistan, May 2

Farzana Adell Ghadiya, a prominent Afghan women’s rights activist, is now in hiding in a third country, awaiting approval from Canada for an Urgent Temporary Resident Permit.

All the paperwork is in order, she has a job offer and a continuing support group here in Canada. I have offered her free housing in my home.

Yet the visa remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

In the meantime, she fears for her life, as the Taliban are actively hunting for her.

Canada pledged to admit 40,000 Afghan refugees, yet only about 13,000 have actually arrived. Our government recently brought three planeloads of Ukrainians to Canada. We need to do the same for Afghans. Bessa Whitmore, Ottawa