Declaring women's rights vital for world peace, the Nobel Committee has awarded its coveted annual Peace Prize<br/> to three indomitable female campaigners against war and oppression,<br/> Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, her compatriot Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni women's rights activist Tawakkul Karman all share the $1.5 million prize.<br/> Nobel Peace Prize committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said it was vital that women play an active role in the peace-building process.<br/> SOUNDBITE) (English) NOBEL PEACE PRIZE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN THORBJOERN JAGLAND SAYING:<br/> "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."<br/> Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first freely elected female president, has won widespread praise for her work rebuilding Liberia after a bloody 14-year civil war.<br/> The 72-year-old former finance minister, once jailed as an opposition activist, was elected in 2006 .<br/> SOUNDBITE) (English) LIBERIA PRESIDENT ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF, SAYING:<br/> "I have an opportunity to open the doors for more African women to hold high level political positions, because I represent the aspirations and expectations of Liberian African women, maybe women all over the world, therefore the pressure is on me to make sure that I succeed."<br/> Her fellow countrywoman, Leyman Gbowee, mobilised and organised Liberian women against the brutal civil war, across religious and ethnic lines, also famously organizing a 'sex strike.'<br/> The committee praised her for enhancing the influence of West African women.<br/> Activist Tawakkul Kraman was praised for playing a leading part in the struggle for women's rights and democracy in Yemen - despite ''the most trying'' circumstances.<br/> The mother-of-three said the award was a victory for Yemen's democracy activists who would continue to fight for full rights in the country.<br/> Sunita Rappai, Reuters
