Salam Watandar’s interviews with 44 married Afghan women living in Canada, Germany, France, England, Australia, the United States, and Russia show that while some women experience restrictions on their personal freedoms, social relationships, and educational and employment opportunities after migration, others report no change in their freedoms or opportunities and continue to receive support from their husbands and families. Thus, the experiences of married Afghan women after migration are not the same.
Among the women interviewed, three report that their social relationships become more limited, three say that they have less personal freedom and less participation in decision-making, and two experience both of these restrictions. In addition, eight women describe the emotional effects of migration, ten report experiencing indirect discrimination, and four say that their lives do not change significantly after marriage and migration from Afghanistan.
At the same time, ten participants report that support from their husbands, along with access to educational and social opportunities in their host countries, plays an important role in improving their quality of life and personal development.
Husbands’ support; a key factor in continuing women’s education and personal growth
Sadia Muradi, a 24-year-old woman, says that her husband has played a supportive role in enabling her to continue her education and personal growth.
“Of course, married life has its limitations, but my husband has not placed restrictions on me; rather, he has supported me and stood by my side. Living abroad has provided me with good opportunities for education and personal development,” she adds.
Farida Faryabi, another 25-year-old woman, also says, “Marriage can create opportunities for personal growth and advancement. My husband and his family have always supported me and stood by my side. Although I live abroad, I am completely satisfied with them because they have helped me every step of the way.”
Reduced personal freedom and limited role in decision-making
In contrast, several women say that their personal freedom and role in decision-making have been reduced after marriage. Maliha, a 24-year-old resident of England, says,
“Before marriage, I wore whatever I wanted and went wherever I wished. After marriage, however, even though I live in a country like England, I no longer have the same level of freedom, even in how I use my phone. My husband makes decisions on most matters.”
Roya, another 27-year-old woman who lives in Australia, says, “In many cases, I no longer have the independence I had before migrating. My role in important family and financial decisions has sometimes been limited, and I have felt unable to participate in decision-making to the extent that I would like.”
Social relationships; family responsibilities and lost opportunities
Several women also report that their social relationships have been reduced. Zahra, a 27-year-old woman who lives in the United States, says that after marriage her social relationships and freedom have been reduced.
“Before marriage, I spent more time with my friends and family. Afterwards, due to increased responsibilities, my social relationships became less frequent and more limited,” she adds.
Masouda Hashemi, another 35-year-old, who lives in France, says,
“Marriage has had a significant impact on my education and social activities. After becoming a mother, I had to discontinue my studies. Although my family responsibilities have increased, I try to remain active.”
Migration; language, discrimination, and administrative challenges
The challenges faced by migrant women extend beyond married life. Many described difficulties associated with migration itself, including language, cultural differences, access to education and employment, and experiences of indirect discrimination.
Fatima, a 41-year-old woman who lives in Germany, says that indirect discrimination exists in access to employment and housing, and that having a German first and last name can make the process easier. She explains,
“If you have a German first name and surname, it is easier to find housing and employment. I have personally experienced discrimination. One of my teachers, although her mother was a foreigner, considered herself German and had a problem with immigrants, particularly Muslims.”
Muzhda Ahmadi, another 26-year-old woman who is also living in Germany, describes the educational pathway for migrants as particularly complex, saying that migration feels like starting life from zero, like a child who must learn everything from the beginning.
“Migration has its own challenges, from language and culture to appearance, psychological adjustment, and many other issues. We have to work just as hard to learn the language in order to gain access to the labor market or university,” she adds.
Psychological pressures and being away from family
Loneliness, psychological pressures, being away from family, homesickness, and concern for relatives in Afghanistan are additional challenges these women face, contributing to anxiety and emotional hardship.
Sara, a 25-year-old woman who lives in Canada, says that although she feels physically safe, she sometimes suffers emotionally because of being away from her family and the pressures of daily life.
“I have become more independent, and I now shoulder my own responsibilities. I feel very safe physically, but emotionally I sometimes feel anxious because of being away from my family and friends and the pressures of everyday life,” she says.
Family attitudes as a factor restricting women’s freedom
Meanwhile, sociologists believe that some of these restrictions stem from cultural beliefs and traditions that families continue to maintain even after migration. Shoaib Ahmadi, a sociologist, says,
“Traditional and cultural beliefs that have long existed within families often persist even after migration. In addition, fear of changing family roles leads some men to exercise greater control over their wives.”
Zakia Alizada, a women’s rights activist, also says that some restrictions arise from men’s concerns about social challenges.
“When people witness various forms of social misconduct, some men come to believe after marriage that if their wives go outside or participate actively in public life, they may be exposed to inappropriate behavior,” she adds.
Migration experts say that some of the challenges migrant women face in education, employment, and social participation are linked to family attitudes. Naqibullah Akbari, a migration expert, says,
“When women who have migrated from Afghanistan are unable to take full advantage of educational and employment opportunities abroad, this is not primarily because of the host environment. Rather, it reflects the mindset of the family they have joined—that is, their husband’s family.”
The findings of this report show that although Afghan migrant women generally benefit from greater security and broader access to educational opportunities in their host countries, many continue to face challenges, including restrictions on social relationships, reduced personal freedom and involvement in decision-making, language and cultural difficulties, psychological pressures associated with migration, complex administrative procedures, and, in some cases, indirect discrimination.
Reporters: Eshwa Azizi and Zarafshan Sharifi
