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Shirin Ebadi wins Nobel Peace Prize

Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi has won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2003. Ebadi is Iran's first female judge and a leading figure in the struggle for women's and children's rights in Iran. She is known for representing the interests of persecuted individuals and has braved reprisals for her beliefs.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee was founded in compliance with Alfred Nobel's will, made public in January 1897, a month after his death. The Committee is composed of five members appointed by Norway's parliament, the Storting.

The current committee is led by Ole Danbolt Mjoes, and includes Berge Ragnar Furre, Sissel Marie Rønbeck, Inger-Marie Ytterhorn, and Kaci Kullmann Five. Geir Lundestad is secretary and director of the Nobel Institute.

The peace prize is worth SEK 10 million (USD 1.3 million).

At 11:00 am local time, the head of the Norwegian Nobel committee, Ole Danholt Mjoes, announced that the prize would be going to a Muslim woman for the first time.

"I am very happy, and hope that the prize can contribute to the struggle for human rights in Iran," Ebadi said in a telephone interview with Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) after the announcement.

Ebaid also said that she hoped the prize would encourage other Muslim woman around the world, and for their fight for equal rights.

In 2001 Ebadi won the Rafto Prize for her long battle for human rights and democracy in Iran. He has also been recognized by Human Rights Watch for her efforts.

In 1997 Ebadi told Norwegian news agency NTB that Iran's existing system had to change.

"After the revolution many things went wrong. For example, we received a series of discriminatory laws. Now an increasing number of people want changes, and this is seen in the election of Mohammad Khatami as president. The time has come for reforms," Ebadi said.