Worldwide Web of Women!

When I think of Web 2.0 I always remember my first feeling when I came in touch with the social media: excitement and surprise, adrenaline and curiosity. I felt like a young child with a toy he or she always dreamed of – so many possibilities to explore. A child usually wants to “dissect” the toy, see every part of it and that’s the part of playing. I wanted to go part by part into the internet possibilities and since so much was offered at once, I was getting an overwhelming feeling while blaring at the computer screen not knowing where to start.

This platform has opened my eyes and views in high extent. Knowing what kind of issues women around the world face and being able to get in touch with them and perhaps even help them or they helping me, is more than anyone could have imagined only a few years back. By hearing the stories of many women from distant parts of the world, parts I have never been and haven’t known enough about, I developed better views and attitudes about world gender issues, a topic I have always been interested in. Reading tragic testimonies, but at the same time encouraging and brave statements by women who are struggling with so many difficulties in their lives, mostly because of conservative societies, one may be encouraged to face things in their own environment, struggle and fight with the obstacles and feel that she is not alone. I have always believed that women are strong, although it is not the general global belief. Everywhere I turn I can find an example of a strong woman, facing troubles, standing on her feet and moving on. After introducing myself to Web 2.0, I was even more fascinated and convinced about what woman are facing, but most importantly, what women can do. It is an amazing how you can feel close and connected to people who share the same interests and values even though they are living in different parts of the world, thousands and thousands of miles away. My opinion is that if women unite and start fighting together they would be a great force, inspiration for others, motivation to many, an encouragement to the suppressed and an overall achievement.

Recently I have been trying to involve myself in local community matters by various activities, mostly through NGOs, and I have been glad to see how some things are going forward. Web 2.0 provides me with the opportunity to connect with people throughout the world, to share opinions and advice and to get inspiration and solutions for how some things can be improved in my community. Let us all raise our voices and grow stronger, because we can, we always have and we always will! Everybody knows the saying: “Act locally, think globally”, but perhaps in our case, with the opportunities from World Pulse and Voices of Our Future we may also say: “Act globally, think locally”.