her country's second citizen to be given the most coveted prize. Malala is also the youngest to be awarded the globally prestigious annual prize. The two will split the £690,000 ($1.11m) prize announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The committee said 60-year-old Satyarthi maintained Mahatma Gandhi's tradition and headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. According to the committee "he has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children's rights". "Children must go to school and not be financially exploited. In the poor countries of the world, 60% of the present population is under 25 years of age. It is a prerequisite for peaceful global development that the rights of children and young people be respected. In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation," the committee said. Talking about Malala, the committee said "Despite her youth, Malala 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".