Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
has been chosen for this year's Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for being an "inspiration" to women and ensuring return of peace and democracy in her country, it was announced today.
She was selected for the award, set up
by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, by an international jury chaired by
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Indira Gandhi Prize is awarded to
her for serving as an "example and inspiration" to women in Africa and
beyond and for ensuring the return of peace, democracy, development,
security and order in Liberia.
The jury also commended her strong
interest in the consolidation and improvement of Liberia's relations
with India, a statement said.
Starting from a humble background,
Sirleaf has risen to the Presidency becoming the first elected female
head of state of the African continent.
"This is all the more remarkable as it
has taken place against all odds in a country which until recently saw
civil strife and social discord. Hers has been a story of indomitable
courage, strong determination and the yearning to achieve.
"Sirleaf took over office as the
President of Liberia in 2006 acquiring a legacy of distrust, disharmony
and mismanagement. Restoring financial health to a country on the verge
of fiscal breakdown was a singularly successful achievement," the
statement said.
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