Bianka Zalewska, a war correspondent and reporter for “Dzień Dobry TVN”, received the International Women of Courage award at the White House, which is awarded by the US Department of State. Zalewska is the first Polish woman to receive this award.
The awards were presented at the US President’s residence in Washington by the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the first lady Jill Biden. “It’s a special honor for me to say welcome to the White House,” Blinken said. – This year, for the first time, we host the winners in the White House. This reflects how highly the president, first lady and administration value both gender equality and human rights – added.
“Today we’re here to tell girls, absolutely everywhere, that the truth they need to hear is yes, you matter. Yes, you are important. Yes, you can change reality. That’s why we wanted to bring the female leaders who create this world here. We want their world-changing stories to be told on the biggest stage possible, the White House stage.
Bianka Zalewska “teaches how to fight disinformation effectively”
Zalewska was introduced at the White House by White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre. – While fighting Russian disinformation in 2014, her car was shot at. This led to an accident where she broke her spine. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine he receives threats last year, but he continues to spread information about refugees, frontline stories and trains journalists in order to effectively fight disinformation, she said.
Bianka Zalewska received the International Women of Courage award at the White Housestate.gov/TVN24
In addition to Zalewska, 10 women were also distinguished this year, including the well-known Ukrainian medic and volunteer Julia Pajewska and participants of the protests in Iran.
Portrait of Bianka Zalewska at the White House on the day of the International Women of Courage AwardsPAP/EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Bianka Zalewska “a woman of extraordinary courage”
“Bianka Zalewska is a Polish humanitarian and journalist who has been selflessly documenting Russian aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and has been working for the Ukrainian people for over a decade. She survived the life-threatening injuries she sustained when her car came under fire from Russian proxy forces in the oblast Lugansk in 2014. She continues to face disinformation campaigns and online threats personally directed at her and her family, and the risk of violence and injury during her frequent work in Ukraine,” the State Department website said.
“In the face of constant threats, Mrs. Zalewska remains fearless and continues to accept refugees from Ukraine, expose Russian atrocities, reliably and responsibly report the situation at the front, and personally deliver aid to Ukraine,” it added.
The whole conversation of Bianka Zalewska with the correspondent of “Fakty” TVN Marcin WronaTVN24
The International Women of Courage Award was established in 2007. Honors women who have shown exceptional courage, strength and leadership in advancing peace, justice, human rights, equality and gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, in all their diversity – often at great personal risk and sacrifice
Main photo source: state.gov/TVN24