The Africa Progress Panel says it welcomes the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni rights activist Tawakkul Karman. “I am so happy today to see this – the world’s most prestigious prize – go to three women, two of them from sub-saharan Africa,” said Panel member Graça Machel, a lifelong campaigner for women’s rights in Africa. “It is through collaboration and compassion, instead of competition and conflict, that these extraordinary women have achieved their life’s work. Today we see not only Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – a pioneer as Africa's first elected female head of state – recognised, but also Leymah Gbowee, who has never held political office but whose activism brought peace to a country torn apart, by mobilising the power of women. Women who prayed together across religious divides, who held non-violent demonstrations and who weren’t afraid to use all the powers at their disposal – including going on sex strike – to force men to put down their weapons and start talking peace. That’s what I call women’s empowerment.” The Governor of the Central Bank of Botswana, Ms Linah Mohohlo, added: “I am proud to see Ellen Johnson Sirleaf accept the award on behalf of women of all walks of life in Liberia. African women are on the move. More and more women are getting educated, becoming economically independent, enjoying good health and at last they have more control over their lives. It is even more gratifying that, not one, but three women, who include Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman, have received the Nobel Peace Prize today, and I have no doubt that millions of women in Africa and the world over see this as their victory. These are women who are campaigning for good governance and better democratic practice, women who are working to bring healing in the aftermath of violent conflict, women who are starting their own businesses and speeding Africa’s progress towards a bright economic future. Let us sing praises for these well-deserving women stalwarts”. Kofi Annan, Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, added: “I am delighted to see that three women have been awarded the Nobel Peace prize today. For too long the women and children of Africa have borne the brunt of conflict on our continent, whether through gender based violence, displacement, or a lack of access to basic human rights. 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.” The Africa Progress Panel brings together a unique group of leaders under the chairmanship of Kofi Annan. The Panel monitors and promotes mutual accountability and shared responsibility for progress in Africa. Its three focus areas are economic and political governance; finance for sustainable development, including ODA; and MDG achievement. The work of the Panel aims to track progress and draw attention to critical issues and opportunities for progress in Africa. The Africa Progress Panel is:  Kofi Annan (Chair of the Africa Progress Panel, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Laureate)  Michel Camdessus (Former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund)  Peter Eigen (Founder and Chair of the Advisory Council, Transparency International and Chairman of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative)  Bob Geldof (Musician, businessman, founder and Chair of Band Aid, Live Aid and Live8, Co-founder of DATA and ONE)  Graça Machel (President of the Foundation for Community Development and founder of New Faces New Voices)  Linah Mohohlo (Governor, Bank of Botswana)  Olusegun Obasanjo (Former President of Nigeria)  Robert Rubin (Co-Chairman of the Board, Council on Foreign Relations and former Secretary of the United States Treasury)  Tidjane Thiam (Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Plc.)  Muhammad Yunus (Economist, founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Laureate)