Editorial
Three women have done the world proud
Quite a statement for peace
This year's Nobel Peace Prize will be shared by three women who have demonstrated outstanding courage in their non-violent struggle for women and women's rights and for their extraordinary work towards the achievement of peace. They are Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and rights activist Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.
Johnson Sirleaf, the 72 year old Harvard educated President of Liberia, also known as "Iron Lady", is Africa's first woman head of state. For the past eight years, Liberia has had peace from the bloody civil war which endured for 14 years. Sirleaf attributes this peace to the country's women, saying that they challenged the previous dictatorship in the country and worked towards achieving peace.
Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, founder and executive director of Women and Peace Security Network Africa, mobilized and courageously organized women across various ethnic and religious backgrounds to bring an end to the civil war in Liberia.
Tawakkul Karman of Yemen is the president of Women Journalists Without Chains, a group which campaigns for the freedom of the press. Karman sheds a new light to the role of Yemeni women and in their fight for peace and democracy.
This year's uniquely shared Nobel Peace Prize demonstrates the plight of what human rights activists have strived for decades: the promotion of equality globally. This year, we celebrate the rise of the voices of women who historically may have passively supported in the fight towards peace. We are fortunately seeing more and more women actively voice their opinions, placing themselves in potential danger zones and fighting for peace.
It is a celebration of peace. It is also a celebration of women. All the mothers, daughters and sisters who through their non-violent actions and policies achieve monumental results in establishing peace and prosperity, we salute you.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments