Two world-renowned activists from neighboring countries, Pakistani Malala Yousafzai and Indian Kailash Satyarthi, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

Yousafzai, 17, and Satyarthi, 60, were given the award by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their work in favor of children around the world, according to Reuters.

"The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism," said Thorbjoern Jagland, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in reference to increasing tensions between the two nations over the Kashmir region.

Yousafzai came to the world spotlight after Taliban gunmen shot her in the head in 2012 for advocating for girls' education in Pakistan, according to ABC News. Since then she has continued fighting for girls' right to an education around the world. At 17, Yousafzai is the award's youngest recipient.

"We should all consider each other as human beings, and we should respect each other," Malala said, according to USA Today. "It is my message to children all around the world that they should stand up for their rights."

She was in chemistry class when she received the news and said she was honored to receive the 95th Nobel Peace Prize.

The other recipient of the award, Satyarthi, has been working to end child labor in India since 1980, when he stopped working as an electrical engineer to take up the cause, The Washington Post reported. His organization Save Childhood Movement has rescued almost 80,000 children in illegal working conditions.

"It's an honor to all those children still suffering in slavery, bonded labour and trafficking," he told CNN-IBN, according to Reuters.

The White House also released a statement congratulating the recipients.

"On behalf of Michelle, myself and all Americans, I want to congratulate Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi on winning the Nobel Peace Prize," President Obama said in the statement. "Today's announcement is a victory for all who strive to uphold the dignity of every human being. In recognizing Malala and Kailash, the Nobel Committee reminds us of the urgency of their work to protect the rights and freedoms of all our young people and to ensure they have the chance to fulfill their God-given potential, regardless of their background, or gender, or station in life."

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