Malalai Azimee

Malalai Azimee is an Afghan newcomer who fled Afghanistan in August 2021 during the Taliban’s sudden takeover, leaving behind a country filled with fear and uncertainty. Grateful to the Canadian Government for providing safety and security, her concerns persist for her family members, particularly the women barred from social activities and education in Afghanistan.

Malalai holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Kardan University and a Bachelor’s in Law and Political Science from Dunya University in Afghanistan. In 2022, she completed an Immigration Administrative Assistant diploma program in Canada and is currently pursuing a paralegal program with an expected graduation in January 2024.

Facing numerous challenges as newcomers, she acknowledges NEW for her first Canadian job opportunity in 2022 and expresses gratitude to Canadian Connections for their ongoing support to Afghan newcomers, including those accommodated at Hilton Hotel, since 2021. In 2023, she began working as a Settlement Coordinator at Canadian Connections, assisting other newcomers by conducting needs assessments and providing essential support.

Malalai’s career in Afghanistan included a role as a Program Associate at UN Women, where she supported the Gender in Humanitarian Action project, aiding 600 internally displaced women and girls in the country’s two largest provinces. She’s been an advocate for women’s rights since 2010, collaborating with various national and international organizations, including the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Afghan Women Education Center, Norwegian Refugee Council, The Asia Foundation, and DACAAR, all aimed at empowering vulnerable women and girls in Afghanistan.