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Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Three Women For Contribution to Democracy and Women's Rights
October 14, 2011
By: Mark Hsen | Printer Friendly
On October 7, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to three women, the first time since 2004, in recognition of their non-violent struggle for peace, democracy, and gender equality. The winners are President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, peace activist Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, and democracy advocate Tawakkol Karman of Yemen. By recognizing these women, the selection committee emphasized the necessity of securing equal rights and opportunities for women in order to successfully achieve democracy and lasting peace. They hoped to inspire women around the world to join the fight for women's rights and "to bring an end to the suppression of women... and to realize the great potential for democracy and peace that women can represent."
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected female president in modern Africa, was awarded the Nobel Prize for her efforts to secure peace, to promote economic and human development, and to strengthen the position of women in Liberia.
Harvard-educated Sirleaf started her political career in the William Tolbert administration. After the 1980 Samuel Doe coup, she became an outspoken critic, and eventually fled Liberia. While abroad, she worked at the World Bank, the United Nations, and served as the Vice President of Citibank. In 1997, she ran unsuccessfully against warlord turned president Charles Taylor. In 2005, she successfully defeated her opponent George Weah to become the President of Liberia.
With her inauguration, Sirleaf inherited a broken country torn by over a decade of civil war. According to the New York Times, over 200,000 people were killed and nearly a third of the population was displaced. Infrastructure was severely damaged and poverty was a significant problem. With her election, she pledged to rebuild the nation by revitalizing the economy, reducing the debt, strengthening the rule of law, and promoting women's rights.
Sirleaf is currently in the midst of a heated re-election campaign. As reported by the New York Times, Sirleaf's selection as a Nobel Laureate highlights the gap between her domestic and international image. While Liberians acknowledge that peace and security have improved, unemployment and poverty are still significant problems.
Peace activist Leymah Gbowee of Liberia was awarded the Nobel Prize for her work in leading a grass-roots women's protest movement, which has been credited with helping to end the war in Liberia. In 2002, Gbowee founded the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace to unite and mobilize Liberian women across ethnic and religious lines to peacefully protest the war. After peace was secured, Gbowee continued her activism by campaigning for women's suffrage.
According to MSNBC, she has been recognized with multiple awards including the 2009 Profile in Courage Award and the 2007 Blue Ribbon Award from Harvard University. Gbowee currently lives in Ghana where she is Executive Director of the Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN), which promotes participation of women in peace and security initiatives.
After winning the Nobel Prize, Gbowee spoke out to the international women's rights movement. The Wall Street Journal reported that she encouraged the women of the Arab Spring to continue fighting for their rights. She emphasized that the revolutions of "the people's power," did not necessarily imply an increase in "women's power." She urged women "to step up" and to "keep protesting."
Tawakkol Karman, called the "Mother of the Revolution" was awarded the Nobel Prize for her contributions as a leading advocate for democracy and women's rights in Yemen, before and during the Arab Spring. Karman is one of the youngest Nobel Laureates in history, and the first Arab woman ever to win the prize. In 2005, Karman founded Women Journalists without Chains, a Yemeni advocacy organization fighting for human rights and freedom of expression. As president she worked tirelessly to secure the release of imprisoned journalists. As reported by Time Magazine, Karman began protesting since 2007, however after the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, she intensified her activism. When she called for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, she was arrested. According to the New York Times, her arrest ignited mass protests, and has been cited as sparking the Yemeni revolution.
Karman remains a controversial figure, even within the anti-Saleh movement. Karman is a member of the Islah political party, and has often clashed with its leaders. She has tried to reshape the party in a more open and tolerant direction, and has openly challenged hard-liners in the party.
Significant problems for democracy and peace-building remain in both Liberia and Yemen. After the announcement of Karman's victory, women celebrating in Yemen were attacked by Saleh supporters. In Liberia, formerly exiled warlord Prince Yormie Johnson is competing against Sirleaf for the presidential nomination. However, the three women are certainly notable for their activism and dedication to pursuing progress. As stated by United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in congratulating the winners, the women should be celebrated for their "unflinching courage, strength and leadership" and their example "for women's rights and human progress everywhere."
Sources:
Norwegian Nobel Committee – Press Release: The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011
Wall Street Journal – Three Women Share Nobel Peace Prize
Wall Street Journal – Three Women Share Nobel Peace Prize
New York Times – Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Three Activist Women
Washington Post – Tawakkol Karman, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee win Nobel Peace Prize
MSNBC – Yemen's 'Mother of the Revolution', Liberian president, peace activist share Nobel prize
New York Times – Among 3 Women Awarded Nobel Peace Prize, a Nod to the Arab Spring
Time Magazine – Nobel Women: The Peace Prize Goes to Three Fighting for Their Rights
International Business Times – Nobel Peace Prize 2011: The Award's Aftermath
U.S. Department of State – Press Statement: Congratulations to Female Nobel Peace Laureates
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