Contents
Leymah Gbowee
Uniting Liberian women across religious lines in a movement for peace.
Liberian peace movement · Nobel Peace Prize 2011
- Born
- 1 February 1972
- Birthplace
- Liberia
More people
Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace campaigner whose organising helped pressure leaders to end civil war. She shared the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakkol Karman.
Early life
War interrupts education
Liberia’s civil war began as she was approaching adulthood, disrupting her plans for further study.
Trauma counselling
Trained in social work and supported people affected by war, including former child soldiers.
Career
- 2002
Women’s organising
Worked through the Women in Peacebuilding Network to mobilise women.
- 2003
Mass action for peace
Helped lead Christian and Muslim women in protests and pressure on peace talks.
- 2007
Further study
Completed a master’s degree in conflict transformation at Eastern Mennonite University.
- 2011
Nobel Peace Prize
Shared recognition for nonviolent peacebuilding and women’s participation.
Campaigns
Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace
Used demonstrations and sustained organising to demand an end to fighting.
Mighty Be Our Powers
Published a memoir with Carol Mithers.
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa
Established a foundation supporting education and leadership opportunities.
Beyond campaigning
Education access
Her foundation supports young people, with particular attention to girls and women.
Women at negotiations
Advocates women’s participation in decisions about peace, beyond their role as victims of war.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Nobel Prize biography and award ↗Photo: Fronteiras do Pensamento. CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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