Nobel prize winner Wangari Maathai dies

Africa is a state in mourning following the death of a visionary woman who was the first female to win the Nobel Peace Prize from the continent.

Kenya's Wangari Maathai, who won the peace prize in 2004, lost her long and brave battle against cancer on Sunday aged 71. Maathai is desribed as a social activist and an environmental crusader who fought hard on many issues including justice and womens rights.

Having studied in America after winning a scholarship, Maathai becoming the first woman in east and central Africa to obtain a PhD as well as being the first female professor the University of Nairobi, where she taught veterinary medicine.

In 1977, Maathai set up the Green Belt Movement, working with women to improve their livelihoods by increasing their access to resources like firewood for cooking and clean water. She became a great advocate for better management of natural resources and for sustainability, equity, and justice. A synopsis of her life and work can be read here.

She was awarded the Peace Prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. The Nobel committee acknowledged her unique forms of action which helped draw attention to political injustice. Maathai joined the struggle against the repressive regime of Daniel arap Moi, who was president of Kenya between 1978 and 2002 and was often in conflict with the authorities in her efforts to combat injustice.

She worked with a number of groups and made it her life's work to help women living in rural Kenya. Her contribution to the environment saw her encourage women to plant trees to ensure future supplies of firewood and to protect water sources and crops.

A statement from the Green Belt Movement read,

Professor Maathai's departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her – as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model, and heroine; or who admired her determination to make the world a more peaceful, healthier, and better place.

Zohaib Rashid

Picture: Wangari Maathai