Oslo, Oct 10 : Renowned child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi, who leads the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, and Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai have been jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for "their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education".

"Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Mahatma Gandhi's tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.

"Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education," it added.

What makes the announcement even more significant is that an Indian and Pakistani have shared the Nobel Peace for the first time.

The Nobel Committee also regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism.

"Many other individuals and institutions in the international community have also contributed. It has been calculated that there are 168 million child labourers around the world today. In 2000 the figure was 78 million higher. The world has come closer to the goal of eliminating child labour," said a statement by the the Norwegian Nobel Committee said

"The struggle against suppression and for the rights of children and adolescents contributes to the realization of the "fraternity between nations" that Alfred Nobel mentions in his will as one of the criteria for the Nobel Peace Prize," it added. (ANI)