a message of peace

Great news about the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank.

I am a huge admirer, in particular, of Grameen's efforts to give women in the developing world the opportunity to achieve economic autonomy -- enabling them to care for their families and communities AND to make decisions about their own lives.

In addition, the message that peace depends on ALL of us being free and autonomous can not be underplayed. Women's economic dependence on men has contributed to the feminization of HIV/AIDS, it has perpetuated gender-based violence and it has contributed to ongoing disparities between the sexes.

Congratulations.