Web 2.0 in global women's empowerment movement

What most excites me about Web 2.0 is the possibility it provides to share real time information, be connected with people all over the world and widen one’s horizon and point of view. Web 2.0 shortens the time/space distance allowing people to be in touch in a way that just a few years ago was inconceivable. On line courses, videos, forums, live chats constitute a huge opportunity for everyone to access contents which would otherwise be forbidden. Another thing I like about the web is the variety on contents available. From funny things to serious issues, any kind of information can now be found on the global net. This has deeply changed the ways and quality of our fruition as well as our participation to the information making process. Everyone can experience this shift everyday. Web 2.0 allows people to spread and read stories which would never come to light otherwise; for instance, it is not long since I have joint the World Pulse network and still, I have learnt so many things and read so many stories I knew not of and would have never known without it. Web 2.0 offers a real chance to enlarge one’s vision and grow. Escaping isolation and being able to act pragmatically is, in my opinion, the greatest power of Web 2.0, and it is confirmed by the examples brought to us about the concrete actions and initiatives taken by Ms Lindy Wafula and Araceli, the tortureinegypt.net and the Ushahidi projects. These are inspiring successful stories which show that it is only us who define the border between virtual and real space. The web is but a starting point, it is our will that turns it into actual change. Women can find a ally in the web, because it relieves the sense of loneliness, frustration and powerlessness too often women experience on their own skin, thus acquiring hope and strength. This is what the empowerment process is about: believing in your ideas, being supported by other women who share the same vision and, sometimes, condition and being able to start something different. The web is also a place for discussion, a place where you can express your doubts and ask for help and new ideas. The global women’s empowerment movement can take advantage from the web thanks to the absence of censorship, the main cause for women to be shut down and stay unheard. The women movement finally found a voice, and these voices will speak for those who can’t or are subjugated by fear, still. To answer Gayatri Spivak’s question: yes, now the subaltern can speak and, I would add, it was not accorded to talk, it simply talks by choice.
I personally use Web 2.0 as a tool for constant growth and confrontation which makes me more aware of the surrounding realities. Knowing other cultures, ideas and being in touch with others proves to be a mean by which I can reflect more effectively on my own culture and ideas. This will help me individuate the needs of my community and, eventually, intervene to meet them. I use the web for creating contacts and networks in order to form working or discussion groups and intervene locally and globally. Moreover, on line softwares and platforms can be used in several projects as a valid, sometimes necessary working support.