REGINA — The University of Regina (U of R) is bringing back the Project Resilience scholarship funding program.
The program provides refuge, learning and opportunities to help Afghan women remain stable while they pursue their studies.
This comes as the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan continues, where women's safety, rights and education are severely compromised.
"The University of Regina is a welcoming, inclusive institution that values the academic skills and ambitions of high-achieving students in our global community,” said Dr. Jeff Keshen, U of R president. “Together with Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), we are partnering to establish scholarships and provide emergency funds, housing and other supports for these students whose education hangs in limbo.”
Project Resilience was first established in 2022 to support students impacted by war or other forms of political violence in their home countries. The program ensures students can continue their studies at the U of R.
The university aims to raise $500,000 to bring Afghan women students to the school and help them reach their academic goals.
“Education is more than just education,” said Spogmai, an Afghan graduate student who cannot disclose her full name for concern over her and her family's safety.
“I am going to university for my entire nation, for each and every woman in Afghanistan who has no means to speak for herself. Education is my right, and I want to be the voice for those who don't have it.”
Pursuing education beyond Grade 6 in Taliban-controlled areas is forbidden for Afghan women.
“Education is the key to fighting the gender apartheid imposed on Afghan women by the Taliban regime,” said Friba Rezayee, executive director of WLOT.
“When the Afghan central government collapsed, so did our rights, democracy and human rights. Now, education is about to collapse. An entire generation of bright, talented and educated Afghan women will be wasted if we don’t act now.”
Along with students receiving the scholarship, the university will also ensure access to supports and services, including mental health resources and academic counselling.
Anyone interested in donating to the scholarship can follow this link.
