Nazira’s Story

At The Pregnancy Centre, we envision a community where every person who is pregnant or parenting in crisis has the resources and support needs to thrive and experience a hope-filled future. That includes the increasing amount of our clients who are newcomers and refugees to Canada, like Nazira. This is her story, along with how a local judge has been walking alongside her since arriving in Canada.

Nazira’s Journey

Nazira was born in Kabul City, Afghanistan in 1990. The Taliban came into power when she was in the first grade, stopping her and other girls from attending school. She studied at home with her mother until she was allowed to attend school again in grade seven. After completing high school, she first attended law school to become a lawyer, and then a two-year judicial course to become a judge in 2015.

As the Afghan women were fighting for their rights with support of the United States, there were some women attending law school despite it not aligning with the Islamic Sharia law. There were approximately 300 women judges in Afghanistan when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Every day when Nazira went to work, she faced threats of violence. Not only was the Taliban against women judges, the Taliban released prisoners who began to target and kill both male and female judges.

Nazira remembers the day she left everything behind. She fled to Greece in 2021 with her husband and four children, as well as her surviving colleagues. Following some correspondence with the Government of Canada and passing a couple health tests, they received their Visas and booked flights to Canada for February 2023. The Canadian government allowed Afghan women judges to become government sponsored refugees, meaning they became permanent residents and could recieve an allowance for one year. However, with a family of now seven the allowance didn’t come close to covering their expenses.

Supporting Nazira’s Family

Once in Canada, Nazira’s family was placed in a hotel for a couple months, with the support of the Reception House. She also received support through the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), who provided emotional support, help with finding housing, and moving logistics. Judges across the world came together to provide support to Afghani judges. Today, Nazira’s relationship with a local judge has grown into a lot more than was expected. This local judge is now part of Nazira’s family, she is like the baby’s grandmother.

“The Pregnancy Centre is a very relaxed and comfortable place.” Nazira

Since Nazira had a young baby when she arrived in Kitchener-Waterloo, she was introduced to The Pregnancy Centre by a case worker at Reception House. Nazira receives a monthly are package of diapers and wipes each month, and shops in the Centre’s free Care Closet. When asked about her experience at the Centre, Nazira’s face brightens and her smile shines. She calls the women of the Centre like her famliy, and is so grateful to meet so many people who want to welcome her to Canada and help her and her baby. Nazira is so passionate about the Centre, that she now donates clothing to The Pregnancy Centre that her baby has outgrown.

Importance of Supporting Newcomers

When they arrived in Canada, Nazira’s husband, who was also a judge in Afghanistan, started volunteering at Thrift on Kent to improve his English and gain work experience. He is now in truck driving school, and still volunteering when he can. Nazira is spending three hours a day studying English through a program at Conestoga College. They continue to meet with thte local judge they were first connected to through the IAWJ, sharing holiday meals and enjoying each other’s company.

“We don’t feel that we are refugees here. We don’t feel that Canada is our second country… here’s our first country.” Nazira

Nazira has been passionate about caring for women and children since she was young. Back in Afghanistan, young girls and women are expeirencing the same situation she was in 25 years ago. Just as she fought for women’s rights in Afghanistan, now she think about other women in her same position, women and children who are displaced from their countries due to war, violence, and other crises. Nazira hopes that one day she can be in a position again where she can help make a difference, but especially for women and children. Once Nazira’s life settles down, she hopes to be able to start volunteering at The Pregnancy Centre.

“If people have the time and the ability [to get involved] and even if you don’t have the time … if I can do it, anyone can do it … absolutely it’s something that we all should do.” Local Judge

There are many ways to get involved in supporting newcomers in your community. One way is to contribute to the hope-filled work happening at The Pregnancy Centre.

• Donate diapers and wipes for care packages for over 450 clients each month.
• Donate new or gently used infant clothing and items for our Care Closet.
• Donate funds to support our parenting education, mentoring, meal planning, and budgeting programs.
• Volunteer your time by becoming a mentor mom, providing childcare during Centre programs, organizing donations for the Care Closet, and more.

Thank you for being part of a generous and compassionate community of care for hundreds of families in need in Waterloo Region!