Zoya Kalinsky

Zoya KalinskyZoya KalinskyZoya Kalinsky

Zoya Kalinsky

Zoya KalinskyZoya KalinskyZoya Kalinsky
More
data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BEGINS

For Speaking Engagements and Information Contact: zoya.kalinsky@gmail.com

About Me

  

I am a determined, high energy twelve-year-old girl seeking to make my mark as a role model for other young women.


Growing up in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of two loving parents, I have been fortunate with food on my table, clothes on my back, a roof over my head and support to pursue my own future of choice. My privilege has only increased my desire to find ways to help other young girls who may not have access to the same support system as I do. 


I am passionate about women’s rights and safety, but more importantly about helping young girls develop the confidence they need to be able to stand up for themselves particularly when there is no-one else to stand up for them. A victim of bullying myself since the age of 5 due to my differences as a child with Tourette’s syndrome, I seek to empower others by showing that gender is not a limitation, and disability, whether physical or mental, is not a roadblock to success. In fact, it can be a superpower and, when properly channeled, can become a vigorous force for change. 


Born in New York, I currently live in the heart of Los Angeles. I speak multiple languages and love learning about other cultures both past and present.  I am homeschooled with a focus on global education which is built on respect for others.  I am a travel lover and proud museum aficionado having visited over 20 countries and 50+ museums. My favorite museum is the Louvre and my favorite opera is Tosca. 


I am scuba certified and have not gone a day without swimming in my pool as water is my happy place.  For relaxation, I love to compose music on the piano, paint and read. 


I am not ego driven, but rather feel the need to be part of something greater than myself. 


I embrace my evolution as a young adult and my position as a role model for young women across the world. I hope to lead an effort to inspire women of all ages to find the strength, learn the skills and access resources to help them stand on their own two feet.

With Love and Hope, 

Zoya Kalinsky

UN Women Speech at the United Nations

In support of the UNiTE Campaign to end violence against women.


iLEAD Hybrid 7th Grader Zoya Kalinsky Addresses United Nations


7th grader, Zoya Kalinsky, addresses the United Nations

Speaking at the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women


"I am passionate about women’s rights and safety, about helping young girls develop the confidence they need to stand up for themselves, particularly when there is no one else to stand up for them."— Zoya Kalinsky


ACTON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, December 15, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Zoya Kalinsky, a 7th grader at iLEAD Hybrid, a TK-12th grade tuition-free charter school, addressed the United Nations ECOSOC Chamber for the UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women and Girls on Nov. 22, 2023. Speaking on behalf of UN Women and the UNiTE campaign and the 16 Days of Activism in conjunction with the PVBLIC Foundation, the 12-year-old moved leaders from around the world as she called for an end to a form of violence many women experience from an early age — namely, bullying.


Kalinsky shared her personal experiences of being subjected to violence in her previous school due to bullying. She recounted having been locked in closets, stabbed with pencils, and dragged from a classroom. Kalinsky explained that she has Tourette Syndrome, a condition that causes involuntary tics and movements. Her teacher was unsympathetic and would often bring attention to Kalinsky’s differences by complaining that she would not sit still, something that seven-year-old Kalinsky was unable to do.


Kalinsky spoke to how fortunate she was to have the loving support of her parents, who ultimately unenrolled Kalinsky from her previous school and enrolled her in iLEAD Hybrid’s independent study program iLEAD Exploration when she was in 2nd grade. The move allowed the precocious student to excel both academically and socially.


Kalinsky, who speaks English, Russian, and French, is an accomplished writer, storyteller, musician and artist. The 7th grader chose to share her experience to bring awareness to bullying and violence against women and girls. In her address, she shared relevant statistics, including that one in three women experience violence from an intimate partner or family member, and that 97 percent of abusers and bullies have been abused and bullied themselves. As Kalinsky pointed out, “This means that bullies are not born; they are made.”


“While she is only 12 years old, Zoya is already becoming a world leader,” said Julia Kim, Codirector of iLEAD Hybrid’s Exploration Program. “I love that our school provides not just the academic preparation but also the flexibility for our students to be able to step into their full potential even at a young age.”


Kalinsky said, “I am passionate about women’s rights and safety but, more importantly, about helping young girls develop the confidence they need to stand up for themselves, particularly when there is no one else to stand up for them.”


Kalinsky’s address may be viewed on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_zbZH4fZaU&t=1s).


To learn about UN Women, an organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, visit https://www.unwomen.org.


To learn about PVBLIC Foundation, a nonprofit with a mission to engage global changemakers, visit https://www.pvblic.org.

Zoya KHTS Radio Interview in Support of the UNiTE Campaign

"The Cycle of Violence begins at the earliest ages.   We must focus on changing the mindset of children to be inclusive and supportive vs. having one of alienation and derision."      ~Zoya Kalinsky

Publication by UN Women and Generation Equality July YOUth

  

The Global Adolescent Girl Leadership Town Hall, which united over 150 adolescent girl leaders, provided a platform for sharing experiences and strategies for promoting and investing in adolescent girls’ leadership ahead of the Summit of the Future and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

The event featured a strategic dialogue with Dr. Felipe Paullier, Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, and Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, UN Women Deputy Executive Director. Adolescent girl leaders like us posed critical questions and voiced concerns about gaps in recognizing and addressing our unique needs. This interaction was a powerful testament to the importance of including girls in decision-making processes. There is an urgent need to translate these agreements into policy and practice at the grassroots level. Priorities should include promoting and investing in girls’ and women’s participation in multilateralism, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and care and support systems- which are key to ensuring an equitable future.

Zoya, a 13-year-old advocate against GBV, shared, “Attending the Town Hall was incredible, providing insights into the work ahead for young girls. Moving forward, I expect our leaders to follow through on their commitments with actions. It's crucial to see policies that support education for girls, provide better healthcare, and create inclusive economic opportunities. We need to push for more representation of young girls in decision-making spaces. This isn't just about being heard but about impacting policies that affect our lives. We must ensure that leaders' promises don’t become hollow words.”

The Town Hall provided a crucial opportunity for us to share our strategies and experiences, reaffirming our place as key stakeholders in global advocacy for girls' rights. As we move forward, the insights and commitments made during the Town Hall must translate into tangible actions that promote and protect girls' rights worldwide. 

Copyright © 2023 GALK Enterprises LLC - All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept