President Halonen congratulates Nobel Peace Prize laureates

President Tarja Halonen and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia co-chaired a colloquium on women's leadership in March 2009. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republic

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press Release 7 October 2011

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen congratulates President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and co-Laureates Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman for receiving the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee the Laureates have promoted the safety of women and women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.

President Halonen shares the view that women are in a key role in solving worldwide crises and challenges. “The greatest victims of war, environmental disasters and economic uncertainty are those who are poorest and most vulnerable – women and children. Women can also be strong agents of change. This is why it is important to engage women in the work against climate change, efforts towards sustainable development, prevention of military conflicts, and reconstruction of societies. The Laureates have made valuable contributions towards this end.”

Women and security has also been a key theme in the activities of President Halonen, who has cooperated closely with President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for several years. In March 2009 the two Presidents organised the International Colloquium for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in Monrovia. That same year the Presidents organised an event in connection with the UN General Assembly in New York under the theme “Peace and Security through Women’s Leadership: Acting on 1325 and Climate Change”.

• Webcast - President Halonen congratulates the Nobel Peace Prize laureates
• 3/13/2009 President Halonen in West Africa: Women need more opportunities
• Nobelprize.org

President Halonen congratulates the Nobel Peace Prize laureates on 7 October 2011. Copyright © Office of the President of the Republi