Freedom House applauds the decision by the Nobel committee to award the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize to three female leaders from the Middle East and North Africa: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni activist Tawakkul Karman. All three women played a vital role in promoting women's rights and democratic change in challenging environments that have been historically hostile to the advancement of women.