Norwegian Nobel Committee head: Women are used as weapons of war

Congratulatory messages and well wishes are pouring on Denis Mukwege and Yazidi Nadia Murad on winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2018. While the celebrations continue to elaborate the occasion, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee expresses the concern of drawing attention to the fact, which according to him is, “women are... actually used as weapons of war”. He further adds that the winners were declared in order to highlight this apprehension.

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Berit Reiss-Andersen said after announcing the prize Friday that both laureates, Denis Mukwege of Congo and ethnic Yazidi Nadia Murad, had put their personal security at stake as activists on the issue.

Ovyind Sternersen, a Nobel historian quoted, "This is a Nobel bullseye; recognizing victims of war has a long history in the peace prize." 

Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. The name of the winners was announced on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

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Congolese doctor Mukwege has been a critic of the Congolese government and has treated victims of sexual violence. Murad is a Yazidi who was a captive of the Islamic State group.