Liberia’s women in white who helped end civil war

In December 2011, Leymah Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her role in helping to end the devastating civil war in Liberia.

She had mobilised thousands of women to take part in daily, non-violent public protests calling for peace – which pressurised ruthless President Charles Taylor into meeting them.

When he agreed to peace talks, a delegation from The Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace followed Taylor to Ghana. When talks stalled, they barricaded the room, refusing to let anyone leave until a peace deal was reached.

Within weeks, after continued pressure from the US and other West African nations, the former warlord had resigned and gone into exile.

Jacqueline Paine speaks to Leymah about her pivotal role in securing peace for Liberia.

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(Photo: Leymah Gbowee with fellow activists. Credit: Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images)