To thunderous and sustained applause , Pakistan 's Malala Yousafzai and India 's Kailash Satyarthi received the Nobel Peace Prize on Wednesday , an award that a Nobel official said he hopes encourages others to fight for young people 's rights . The two learned they would take home the prestigious prize two months ago . Wednesday 's ceremony in Oslo , Norway -- attended by royalty , international officials , even some of Yousafzai 's classmates from Pakistan -- made it official . Both recipients had much at stake as they battled for what they believed in . In Satyarthi 's case , it was to end the exploitation of children for financial gain . In the case of Yousafzai -- the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner , at 17 -- it was for girls ' right to an education , a quest that nearly cost her her life when Taliban fighters called her out and shot her in the head two years ago . Man arrested after interrupting ceremony . `` We need people like Satyarthi and Yousafzai to show that it helps to fight , '' said Thorbjorn Jagland , chairman of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee . Jagland , who is the secretary general of the Council of Europe , added that in addition to bringing attention to children 's rights , he hopes the joint award will also bring India and Pakistan closer together . Those neighboring countries have long been at odds , politically and at times militarily . `` While it is in the nature of extremism to create enemies and frightening images , and to divide the world into us and them , the laureates show us something else , '' Jagland said . `` A young girl and a somewhat older man . One from Pakistan , one from India . One Muslim , the other Hindu . Both symbols of the world needs -- namely , more unity . '' Satyarthi spoke first after accepting his prize , giving a rousing call to action and a condemnation of the reality in many places worldwide . `` I refuse to accept that the world is so poor when just one week of military expenditures can bring all children to classrooms , '' he said . `` I refuse to accept that all the laws and constitutions and police and judges are unable to protect our children . I refuse to accept that shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the quest for freedom . '' Next up was Yousafzai , from northwestern Pakistan 's Swat Valley . The Taliban began establishing themselves there in 2003 , bringing with them their conservative views -- including that girls should not be educated . Yet Yousafzai did n't only continue going to school , she blogged about her experiences for the BBC . That led to her being singled out on a bus by the Taliban and shot . After her recovery , Yousafzai has expanded her campaign for girls ' education -- speaking all around the world for the cause . Speaking Wednesday , she said the Nobel Peace Prize `` is not just for me . It is for those forgotten children who want education . It is for those frightened children who want peace . It is for those voiceless children who want change . '' `` I 'm here to stand up for their rights , to raise their voice , '' she said . `` It is not time to pity them . It is not time to pity them . It is time to take action , so it becomes the last time ... that we see a child deprived of education . ''
India 's Anita Satyarthi , Pakistan 's Malala Yousafzai are awarded Nobel Peace Prize . Satyarthi has been active in fighting against child exploitation for financial gain . Targeted by the Taliban , Yousafzai is a champion for girls education . Chairman : ` ` We need women like Satyarthi and Yousafzai to show that it pays to fight ''