Vienna (March 6, 2009)- Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams received the World Achievement Award at last night’s Women’s World Awards. Williams was the co-founder of Community of Peace People (dedicated to achieving peace in Northern Ireland). She is also President of the World Centers of Compassion for Children International and the Global Children’s Foundation.
While Williams was on hand at the Vienna presentation, another major winner was not. Nojoud Muhammad Nasser, a 10-year-old Yemeni girl who fought against her forced marriage (at the age of eight) to a 30-year-old man. After being sexually abused by her “husband,” Masser was able to successfully sue him for divorce.
Yemeni officials- citing the child’s “safety”- prevented Nasser from attending the event. Nasser has become the poster child for abused young women worldwide and an embarrassment to the Yemeni government.
Other major honorees included Marianne Faithful (Lifetime Achievement Award), Kelly Clarkson (World Entertainment Award) and Angela Missoni (World Fashion Award).
Women’s World Awards have been presented since 2004 by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mikhail Gorbachev, the President of the World Awards. According to the organization, the awards are presented to “fascinating and talented women whose exceptional achievements in a variety of fields give courage and provide inspiration to millions of others: unique personalities with vision, personal strength, commitment to their ideals and, above all, a passion for creating a better world in the 21st century.”
Winners are chosen in up to 15 categories. Previous winners include Queen Noor of Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Christiane Amanpoor and Whoopi Goldberg.
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