Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani child education activist and Kailash Satyarthi, Indian child rights activist have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
The duo was announced on Friday as winners of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize with 17-year-old Malala emerging the youngest Nobel prize winner so far.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize saying that peaceful global development can only come about if children and the young are respected.
“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 is to be awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education,” the jury said.
Yousafzai survived a shot in the head by the Taliban group in 2012 and since then, she has been fighting for the right of girls to education.
“This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education,” the committee said.
It also said that the prize recognised work by Satyarthi who has led various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful and focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain.
“Children must go to school and not be financially exploited,” the committee said.
It added that, “In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation.”
Meanwhile Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani Prime Minister has congratulated Malala Yousafzai on winning the Nobel Peace Prize, calling her the “pride” of his country.
“She is the pride of Pakistan. She has made her countrymen proud. Her achievement is unparalleled and unequalled. Girls and boys of the world should take the lead from her struggle and commitment,” he said in a statement.
On the other hand, Satyarthi has dedicated his award to all the children living in slavery in the world. “It’s a great honour for all the Indians, it’s an honour for all those children who are still living in slavery despite of all the advancement in technology, market and economy. And I dedicate this award to all those children in the world,” Satyarthi said.
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