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Kenyan environmentalist and human rights campaigner Wangari Maathai has won the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the first African woman to be awarded the peace prize since it was created in 1901. A surprised Mrs Maathai broke the news to reporters minutes before the official announcement. The prize committee says Mrs Maathai, Kenyas Deputy Environment Minister, is an example for all Africans fighting for democracy and peace. The delighted 64-year-old professor said the award was completely unexpected. This is extremely encouraging to the people of Africa and the African woman, she told the BBC. It is a recognition of the many efforts of African women, who continue to struggle despite all the problems they face. In the late 1970s, Mrs Maathai led a campaign called the Green Belt Movement to plant tens of millions of trees across Africa to slow deforestation . The movement grew to include projects to preserve biodiversity, educate people about their environment and promote the rights of women and girls. Known as The Tree Woman in Kenya, Mrs Maathai celebrated by planting a Nandi flame tree in her home town of Nyeri, in the shadow of Mount Kenya. She said she was delighted that the vital role of the environment had been recognised. The environment is very important in the aspects of peace because when we destroy our resources and our resources become scarce, we fight over that. | 
