The unwavering voice of Afghan women – The story of Zuhal Ahad
Zuhal Ahad is a Hazara Afghan refugee who found safe haven in Toronto in early 2022. As a female journalist working in Afghanistan, Zuhal accepted the uncertainty and fear of being a Taliban target, continuing to work in her chosen field despite the danger. After losing a close friend in a car bombing incident in 2020, Zuhal took even greater care to protect herself by switching routes and vehicles on the days that she risked going out to work. As time went on, however, the security threat and targeted killing of journalists and Hazaras became unbearable. When her husband’s employer offered a transfer to Dubai, Zuhal and her husband accepted. One month later, Kabul fell.
As a visible minority Hazara woman growing up in a male-centric society, Zuhal had to overcome many challenges to receive a quality education. Her confidence and determination led her to earn 2 bachelor’s degrees, the first in business administration and another in communications and journalism, all while working as an English language instructor. Zuhal developed a passion for journalism as a way of representing and supporting women, beginning her career with BBC Afghanistan, where she focused on women’s issues. Later appointed Assistant Director for the Afghan Women Journalist Union, Zuhal courageously trained other female journalists in reporting and anti harassment law.
Upon landing in Canada, Zuhal and her family were welcomed at the airport by resettlement support staff from Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS). Zuhal beams with gratitude when she recalls being introduced to a friendly community of Afghans who were familiar with each other’s backgrounds and languages.
“I want to thank CCIS members for helping refugees to settle with such ease and comfort,” she says.
Although leaving behind her family, friends and job was incredibly difficult, Zuhal established a new circle of friends who helped her adjust to the new culture and feel connected to her community. She also returned to her career and began to work as a freelance journalist, writing about human rights and women’s rights in Afghanistan for The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The National (Abu Dhabi), NPR and TRT World. Zuhal’s hard work was rewarded when she was named a 2022–2023 William Southam Journalism Fellow at the University of Toronto.
Zuhal feels that the sky’s the limit for her future in Canada. She’s proud of her accomplishments and feels honoured to be able to work with other accomplished journalists. She also continues to volunteer as a translator to assist other Afghan newcomers in their resettlement journey. Her vision is to see more Afghan refugees pursue higher education, so they can thrive in their careers and bring new perspectives to the Canadian workplace.
Page details
- Date modified: