Nobel Prize a triumph for women's rights: Amnesty

Amnesty International hailed the Nobel committee's decision on Friday to award the Peace Prize to three women, saying it was vital recognition of the struggle for women's rights.

Amnesty International hailed the Nobel committee's decision on Friday to award the Peace Prize to three women, saying it was vital recognition of the struggle for women's rights.

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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."