As the Taliban government in Afghanistan continues to tighten the vice on women’s rights – most recently by outlawing the sound of a woman’s voice outside her home – Canada is denying Afghan women the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams.

Recent examples include several women admitted to top Canadian universities yet refused study permits by the federal government.

Despite exceptional academic and leadership qualifications, prestigious scholarships and the support of local communities and legal immigration professionals, these decisions put post-secondary education out of reach for talented youth with few other options.

Of all the international students admitted to Canada, the small number of fully funded Afghan women should be among those prioritized. However, they face an uphill battle.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act stipulates that study permit applicants must prove they “will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay.” This is extremely difficult for Afghan women who likely qualify for asylum because they fear persecution in their home country.

In addition, their Afghan passport limits their ability to obtain legal entry into some other countries. Thus, no matter how exceptional the student or how generous the scholarship, proving not just their intention but even their ability to leave Canada once their studies are complete is easier said than done.

As a result, the study-permit approval rate for Afghans is extremely low. Yet other pathways to Canada are closed or exceptionally challenging.

The irony is that Canada explicitly positions and uses its international student........

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