'I feel I am not alone anymore': Afghan woman shot in face by her husband is building a new life in Canada

Read Story Transcript

A year ago on The Current we spoke to Shakila Zareen, a young woman who had fled Afghanistan after being shot in the face by the man she was forced to marry.

Along with her mother and sister, Zareen came to Canada at the start of 2018, and began to rebuild their lives. Over the past year, the 23-year-old has been navigating her new life in Vancouver, making new friends and rebuilding her confidence.

"I feel I am not alone anymore," Zareen told CBC's Laura Lynch, who has been with the young woman for many of the milestones she's reached in Canada.

Those milestones include extensive surgery to help with her horrific injuries, and meeting with high-level politicians — including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — to discuss the plight of refugees and young women who suffered similar abuse.

Lynch sat down with The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti to take stock of Zareen's remarkable strength, and catch up on her progress.

Click 'listen' near the top of this page to hear the full conversation.

Shakila's story: From surviving certain death to new hope in Canada

6 years ago

Duration 11:37

CBC News correspondent Laura Lynch has spent the last year following the life of Shakila Zareen, who came to Canada as a refugee after she was shot in the face by her husband in Afghanistan, and fled the country.

Produced by John Chipman.