Three women were distinguished today with this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, her countrywoman Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman of Yemen were jointly awarded with the Peace Prize for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Africa’s first democratically elected female president. Since her inauguration in 2006, she has contributed to securing peace in Liberia through economic and social development, and strengthening the position of women.
Leymah Gbowee mobilized and organized women across ethnic and religious divides to bring an end to the long war in Liberia, and to ensure women’s participation in elections.
Activist Tawakkul Karman has played a leading part in the struggle for women’s rights for democracy and peace in Yemen both before and during the “Arab spring”.