My name is Omer Malikyar, and I am a second-year Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, specializing in global security, justice, and migration. Originally from Ghazni, Afghanistan, I have been residing in Toronto for the past seven years. My academic and professional work focuses on the impacts of conflict and forced migration, with a particular emphasis on refugee rights, resettlement challenges, and the socio-political barriers to integration. I currently work with Jumpstart Refugee Talent, a non-profit organization that supports the economic mobility of refugees in Canada by fostering connections with meaningful employment opportunities. I also lead the State Fragility and Displacement Initiative (SFDI), a research hub at the Munk School that explores the dynamics of fragile states and forced displacement. Central to my advocacy work is the fight for gender equality in Afghanistan, particularly in the face of systemic barriers that Afghan women and girls face in accessing education. I have participated in national and international forums to advocate for the rights of refugees and raise awareness of the educational restrictions imposed on Afghan women.
