London: Amnesty International hailed the Nobel
committee's decision today to award the Peace Prize to three
women, saying it was vital recognition of the struggle force.
The Nobel Prize Committee earlier today awarded the 2011
Peace Prize to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,
Liberian "peace warrior" Leymah Gbowee and Yemen's Arab Spring
activist Tawakkul Karman.
Norwegian Nobel Committee president Thorbjoern Jagland
said the trio shared the award "for their non-violent struggle
for the safety of women and for women's rights to full
participation in peace-building work."
Amnesty secretary general Salil Shetty said: "This Nobel
Peace Prize recognises what human rights activists have known
for decades: that the promotion of equality is essential to
building just and peaceful societies worldwide.
"The tireless work of these and countless other activists
brings us closer to a world where women will see their rights
protected and enjoy growing influence at all levels of
government.
"Today it is not just these three leading women who are
being celebrated, but everyone who has fought for human rights
and equality their societies.
"The Nobel Committee's choice this year will encourage
women everywhere to continue fighting for their rights."
PTI
First Published: Friday, October 07, 2011, 22:13