Citing that, “we cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee has announced today that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 is to be shared by three women. The new laureates are Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman, who are each recognized for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work. 
The Nobel committee went on to note that in October of 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325. A resolution that for the first time made violence against women in armed conflict an international security issue. It underlined the need for women to become participants on an equal footing with men in peace processes and in peace work in general.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Africa’s first democratically elected female president. Since her inauguration in 2006, she has contributed to securing peace in Liberia, to promoting economic and social development, and to strengthening the position of women. Leymah Gbowee mobilized and organized women across ethnic and religious dividing lines to bring an end to the long war in Liberia, and to ensure women’s participation in elections. She has since worked to enhance the influence of women in West Africa during and after war. In the most trying circumstances, both before and during the “Arab spring”, Tawakkul Karman has played a leading part in the struggle for women’s rights and for democracy and peace in Yemen.
It is the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s hope that the prize to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman will help to bring an end to the suppression of women that still occurs in many countries, and to realise the great potential for democracy and peace that women can represent.
Meet the winners through video after the jump.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – profiled in a PBS special (clip)
Leymah Gbowee – profiled in the documentary “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” (Trailer)
Tawakkul Karman – profiled in a January news story after being released from prison for organizing protests.