Local Afghan women share stories of resilience for International Women’s Day event at Telus Spark

'Thunder of Clouds,' a production by Afghan women in Calgary, will debut on Saturday night in honour of International Women's Day.

Women from Afghanistan who now call Calgary home are sharing the stories of their journey to start life over in a film and immersive experience at Telus Spark.

The production is called Thunder of Clouds and is described as a real-world immersive experience, bringing audiences to the streets, homes and rolling hills of Afghanistan to experience it’s beauty, but also the plight of Afghan women and girls today.

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Robina Hamdard moved to Calgary four years ago and says there isn’t a day that goes by where she doesn’t think of her relatives she left behind.

“I’m still remembering my country, my families, my siblings,” she said. “Last night I talked to my brother so even when I’m talking with them, I’m crying because I miss them so much.”

Hamdard is a mother of four who says her and her family’s life changed in August 2021 when the government collapsed and the Taliban began it’s rule.

“It was very difficult time for us because we understood at that time that we lost everything and we will be under pressure so yes, I remember everything because that was the worst situation in my life,” said Hamdard.

Hamdard is one of a number of Afghan women living in Calgary who were part of the production of Thunder of Clouds both in front of and behind the camera, working in all aspects of the production.

Hamdard is proud it’s world premier is taking place on International Women’s Day.

“The seventh of March means that women are in power,” she said.

“Seventh of March means that women can resistance, fight for their basic rights and they should be fighting for gender equality.”

The film was produced over a two-year period in collaboration with dozens from the local Afghan community and written by Dr. Sharifa Sharif.

It introduces audiences to the real-life story of Dr. Badria Hasas, who survived two Taliban regimes before being evacuated when the Taliban regime took control.

“There are lots of restrictions imposed from the defacto authorities on women of Afghanistan,” said Hamdard.

“They don’t have access to education even when they are victim of the domestic violence they can’t access justice, they (can’t) go and ask for their rights.”

The production is in collaboration with ‘Right to Learn Afghanistan’ that will benefit from the proceeds of the film.

Murwarid Ziayee, senior director, says the operation has been active in Afghanistan since 1998 to advance human rights for women and girls by providing access to quality education.

“Afghan women are facing the most severe restrictions a human can live in,” she said. “This is an oppressive regime, imposing restrictive rules on Afghan women that ban them from getting an education to employment, to a freedom of movement, to public presence, political participation, any activity you can imagine a person a human can do outside the house is prohibited for Afghan women.”

Ziayee moved to Calgary six years ago and has tirelessly worked for the organization and its cause.

It raises money to equip girls and women with the tools they need to get an education out of sight of the Taliban.

“We have resources to share and support girls with their devices, internet and all other needs so that they can continue their virtual and online learning,” she said. “We received last year over 25,000 applications for that support and we could only support 1,400 girls.”

Ziayee says the organization is building a support community for Afghan females.

“Even if those girls haven’t seen and meet each other in person at all - but they became part of a strong network and community to support each other and provide emotional support,” she said. “Besides academics, that’s the beauty of our work that we do and we not only provide education but build communities even if it’s virtual.”

The screening of ‘Thunder of Clouds’ takes place at Telus Spark on Saturday March 7, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and there will be a panel discussion afterwards. Learn more here.