"You represent one of the most important motive forces for change in today`s world, the struggle for human rights in general and the struggle of women for equality and peace in particular," Norwegian Nobel Committee president Thorbjoern Jagland said before handing them their Nobel gold medals and diplomas.
"You give concrete meaning to the Chinese proverb which says that `women hold up half the sky`," he said at a lavish ceremony in a flower-decked Oslo city hall, attended by Norway`s King Harald and Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Mette Marit.
Although a heterogeneous group, Jagland stressed that all three 2011 laureates were prime examples of women who have refused to be relegated to the role of victims and who instead have taken decisive action to end war and promote peace, human rights and democracy.
(T.C003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
