The Iranian lawyer and human rights activist Shirin Ebadi received a law degree from the University of Tehran. In 2003, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote democracy and human rights, with particular emphasis on her defense of the rights of women and children. She now works as a lawyer and also teaches at the University of Tehran.

 Both in her research and as an activist, Ebadi is known for promoting peaceful, democratic solutions to serious problems in society. She argues for a new interpretation if Islamic law which is in harmony with vital human rights such as democracy, equality before the law, religious freedom and freedom of speech. She is also an important advocate for the neglected rights of women and children in Iran, basing her work on the principles of Islamic jurisprudence. She has been imprisoned several times for her outspoken and courageous work as a lawyer defending victims of human rights abuses.