Narges Mohammadi, a leading Iranian women’s rights activist and anti-government figure, was selected as the winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.
It’s for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.
This year’s peace prize also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against Iran’s theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women.
The motto adopted by the demonstrators – “Woman – Life – Freedom” – suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi.
“Iran arrested Mohammadi 13 times and convicted her five times,” Andersen said. The sentence is 31 years in prison and 154 lashes at the moment of announcement.
She couldn’t attend the ceremony in person. Her 17-year-old twin children, who had not seen their mother for eight years, attended the ceremony as surrogate winners. And there was an empty chair between the children. It was for Mohammadi.
Mohammadi has been imprisoned in Tehran’s Evin Prison since he was arrested after participating in a street protest held in 2021 to commemorate the victims of the 2019 anti-government protests. Mohammadi continues to face prison, fines and penalties in an ongoing trial in a separate case while imprisoned.
As Mohammadi was chosen on the day, the number of female Nobel Peace Prize winners increased to 19. Iran has produced two female Nobel Peace Prize winners. The Nobel Peace Prize, which is given to those who contribute to human peace, was awarded for the 104th time this year since 1901.
Narges Mohammadi commented on her Peace Prize as follows: “I will never stop striving for the realization of democracy, freedom and equality. Surely, the Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic.” (It is her full letter)
I think I can only say that I pay tribute to her. She’s amazing. Her will is sublime and I wonder how powerful it is. I respect her…
The IWPG also has a strong influence on women’s human rights. There’s nothing we can’t do if we work together. In order to have power, you have to raise your awareness from the civic level, and we have to be one.
That’s a clear fact. If citizen don’t care from the bottom, no matter how tall the tower is, it will collapse.
Reference: Narges Mohammadi – Facts – 2023 (nobelprize.org)
