Monrovia – Indeed, working hard to fight for what is right definitely pays, as renowned Liberian activist and Nobel peace laureate, Leymah Roberta Gbowee, has won the 2018 Bonn International Democracy Prize and 10,000 Euros in cash.
The Bonn International Democracy Prize is awarded at least once every two years to an individual that has contributed immensely to democracy and human rights in their home country.
The Prize was last awarded in 2016 and was won by another female, the Union Chief, Federica Mogherini, an Italian politician who served as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since November 2014.
The winner of the 2018 version of the prize was announced in October this year but the award ceremony took place last weekend, with Gbowee being on hand to pick up her award which comes with a mouth watering 10,000 Euros cash prize.
According to the organizers, the award is for her continuous struggle for the fundamental human rights of Liberians and championing women’s rights worldwide.
Gbowee is a leading African activist, women’s advocate and the founder of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa.
In her acceptance speech, Gbowee said she received the prize “on behalf of all women seeking to create peace and change in their communities.”
In 2011, Gowee jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize along with fellow Liberian, ex-president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”
The major goal of the Bonn International Democracy Prize is to create a link between the successful experiences in Germany and international development and democratization, according to the organizers.
