Window of Opportunity

Last week, the Peace Nobel Prize was awarded to three women for their non-violent struggle in favour of “women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.” Two of them are African. This decision has been welcomed with great enthusiasm, including by our African Panel members. Graça Machel is thrilled to see that her African sisters have achieved their life’s work, “through collaboration and compassion, instead of competition and conflict”. She also praised Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a pioneer as Africa's first elected female head of state and Leymah Gbowee, “who has never held political office but whose activism brought peace to a country torn apart, by mobilising the power of women.”

Linah Mohohlo emphasized that “African women are on the move,” that these strong women, in addition to bringing peace to their own countries, “are campaigning for good governance and better democratic practice,” and that by starting their own businesses, they are “speeding Africa’s progress towards a bright economic future.” 

Finally Kofi Annan, Chair of the Panel and laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize himself, expressed how pleased he was that three women received this special award: “Time and again we know that women are often the peacemakers in their households, in their communities and even at a national level. I am thrilled that women’s political participation in peacekeeping processes is yielding profound social change for Africa.”

And indeed, we all know how much women’s participation is fundamental to democracy and essential to the achievement of sustainable development and peace, yet less than 10% of countries in the world have a woman leader. Despite progress in a few African countries, including Rwanda, which counts 58% women Parliamentarians, only 28 countries worldwide have more than 30% women in their government.

Is this deficit of women in politics the reason why three women were awarded the famous Prize? It is indeed a first in the Nobel Peace Prize history. In 110 years, only 15 women have received the award of whom only three are African. As the world begins to recognize the value of women’s power and creativity in promoting less armed conflict, more peace and greater social justice, leaders and citizens need to make room for the next generation of women leaders.

Let us hope that this triple award is not perceived as a third of a decoration for each laureate but rather as three awards that lead the way towards greater stability and equality.