Tawakkol Karman

Tawakkol Karman
Name	Tawakkol Karman
Birth date	7 February 1979
Birth place	Mekhlaf, Taiz Governorate, Yemen Arab Republic
Nationality	Yemeni
Alma mater	University of Science and Technology, Sana'a University
Occupation	Journalist, politician, human rights activist
Known for	Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Arab Spring activism
Party	Al-Islah
Spouse	Mohammed al-Nahmi

Tawakkol Karman is a Yemeni journalist, politician, and prominent human rights activist who became a leading figure in the Arab Spring protests in Yemen. She is best known for co-founding the women's advocacy group Women Journalists Without Chains and for her pivotal role in the 2011 Yemeni revolution. In 2011, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and the second Muslim woman to receive the honor, which she shared with Leymah Gbowee and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Early life and education

Born in the village of Mekhlaf in Taiz Governorate, she was raised in a politically active family; her father, Abdul Salam Karman, was a lawyer and served as a Minister of Legal Affairs. She earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Science and Technology in Sana'a and later completed a graduate degree in political science from Sana'a University. Her early exposure to political discourse and her academic background in Sana'a, a major center of Yemeni politics, profoundly shaped her future activism and critical perspective on the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Journalism and activism

Karman began her career as a journalist, writing for publications like Al-Thawra and launching her own website. In 2005, she co-founded the organization Women Journalists Without Chains, which advocated for freedom of the press and human rights in Yemen, documenting abuses and providing training. Her weekly protests in Sana'a's Change Square, starting in 2007, against government corruption and for democratic reforms, earned her the nickname "Iron Woman" and "Mother of the Revolution." Her activism frequently led to arrests by the Political Security Organization, drawing international condemnation from groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Role in the Yemeni Revolution

Karman emerged as a central organizer and inspirational figure during the 2011 Yemeni revolution, part of the wider Arab Spring. She helped mobilize thousands in Sana'a's Change Square and across Yemen, demanding the ouster of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. As a senior member of the Al-Islah party, she bridged political and youth movements, coordinating with groups like the Joint Meeting Parties while maintaining the protest's peaceful character. Her leadership was instrumental in sustaining the momentum of the uprising despite violent crackdowns by government forces and allied tribes, which culminated in Saleh's resignation following the Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered initiative.

Nobel Peace Prize and international recognition

In October 2011, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Karman the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her non-violent struggle for women's safety and for women's rights in full participation in peace-building work. The award, shared with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, highlighted the crucial role of women in the Arab Spring and global peace movements. This recognition amplified her voice on international stages, leading to addresses at forums like the United Nations Security Council and the European Parliament, and cemented her status as a global symbol of peaceful resistance.

Political career and later activism

Following the revolution, Karman continued her activism and political engagement. She served as a senior member of Al-Islah and was appointed to the National Dialogue Conference, a key post-revolution transition body. She has been a vocal critic of subsequent conflicts, including the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen and the actions of the Houthi movement, advocating for a peaceful democratic solution. Her later work focuses on humanitarian issues stemming from the Yemeni Civil War, promoting women's political participation, and supporting civil society through the Tawakkol Karman Foundation.

Awards and honors

Beyond the Nobel Peace Prize, Karman has received numerous international accolades. These include the Prix de la Fondation from Crédit Agricole, the Peace Prize of the United Nations Association of Spain, and being named one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" by Foreign Policy magazine. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates from institutions such as the University of Alberta and the University of St. Gallen, and was recognized with the International Women of Courage Award from the United States Department of State.

Category:Yemeni journalists Category:Yemeni activists Category:Nobel Peace Prize laureates Category:1979 births Category:Living people