Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her compatriot Leymah Gbowee, who mobilised fellow women against their country's civil war, won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, along with Yemeni women's rights and democracy activist Tawakkul Karman.

The award will be seen as a strong signal in favour of the empowerment of women, especially in the developing world.

The three prizewinners share the 2011 award "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work," Norwegian Nobel Committee president Thorbjoern Jagland said in his announcement.

"We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society," he added.

Africa's first woman president
Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Friday, has emerged as a champion of women's rights and a symbol of successful post-war reconstruction since becoming Africa's first elected female president in 2005.

A darling of the international community, the 72-year-old is less popular at home however and the award she shared with two other women could come as a much-needed boost in Sunday's elections.

Since landing at the helm of a nation traumatised by 14 years of brutal civil war with no electricity, running water or infrastructure, Sirleaf has earned international praise.

© Reuters/AFP