Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi has won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2003. Ebadi is Iran's first female judge and a leading figure in the struggle for women's and children's rights in Iran. She is known for representing the interests of persecuted individuals and has braved reprisals for her beliefs.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has often been accused of being too non-controversial in awarding the prize, but this year they actually awarded it to a woman who fights against all odds.

There are no official statements about the award from the Iranian government or the clergy. Hopefully they will not put her under arrest like the Burmese government did with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Read The Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision.

Freedom and Politics [10:24]