Shirin Ebadi

Shirin Ebadi (born 21 June 1947) is an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's, children's, and refugee rights. She was the first ever Iranian to receive the prize.

Early life and education

Ebadi was born in Hamadan, Iran. She has three siblings and her family moved to Tehran in 1948. She was admitted to the law department of the University of Tehran in 1965 and in 1969, upon graduation, passed the qualification exams to become a judge.

Career

After a six-month internship period, she officially became a judge in March 1970. She continued her studies in University of Tehran in the meantime to pursue a master's degree in law in 1971. In 1975, she became the first woman president of the Tehran city court and served until the 1979 Iranian revolution. She was also the first ever woman judge in Iran.

Activism

After the revolution, Ebadi was demoted to a secretarial position at the branch where she had previously presided. She and other female judges protested and were assigned to the slightly higher position of "experts in law". Her objections to the treatment of women in Iranian law continued. She took a significant role in the struggle for women's and children's rights in Iran.

Nobel Peace Prize

In 2003, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts for democracy and human rights, especially for the rights of women and children. The selection committee praised her as a "courageous person" who "has never heeded the threats to her own safety".

Personal life

Ebadi is married and has two daughters. She lives in Tehran, but she also spent time in exile in the UK. She is a lecturer and has written several books on the subject of human rights.

See also

• List of peace activists
• List of Nobel laureates

External links

• Defenders of Human Rights Center
• Nobel Lecture by Shirin Ebadi

Shirin Ebadi Resources
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