Editor's Note: Maria Eitel, president of the Nike Foundation, works with key players in economic and social development to achieve the foundation's objective of contributing to poverty alleviation.

By Maria Eitel – Special to CNN

The Nobel Committee got it right when they awarded three incredible women the Nobel Peace Prize - H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman - "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work."

This year’s Nobel Peace Prize recognizes more than the winners themselves. It recognizes the powerful force for positive change locked within half of our population. The Nobel Committee is joining the growing movement that sees female participation and voice as not only as a human rights issue; it is an economic, social and political issue. As Thorbjørn Jagland, head of the Nobel Committee, said, “We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.” Jagland said it beautifully. There’s one critical word missing: girls. FULL POST