Women and Web 2.0 : A Journey of Vision, Change and Empowerment

Men have dominated the internet landscape for years.The slightly antagonistic \"online \"environment, managed to stifle our voices - but NOT anymore.

With Web 2.0 - the set of \"next-generation\" internet technologies, women are no longer just a passive voice.We have the tools to create, innovate, publish and connect through a medium which goes beyond gender stereotypes.

Web 2.0 : The excitement of networking and plethora of possibilities:

There are various points about web 2.0 that is both exciting and inspiring for me. Apart from the fact that it provides an outlet for my creative and social pursuits, web 2.0 also serves as my very own free, unrestricted \"virtual space\" where i can finally be ME. No longer do i have to worry about barriers of any dimension- Identity, ethnicity, or culture. This open inter space of applications not only provides me an experience which is rich in information but is also revolutionary in ways which goes beyond the technical aspects.

With web 2.0 at my side, i feel confident to write,share about topics which matter the most. Be it reading about women activists of Tunisia, or speaking about the rape culture of Syria, or voicing against the (dis)honor killings of India. With web 2.0, i feel i am connected to the world and the world to me.Where earlier women dreaded to speak openly, they are now making headlines and re- writing history by connecting online with the world. That is the power of this new social media and web technology.

The solutions web 2.0 brings to the global women's movement are paramount and are of special relevance today.It is our support system, a confidante, with whom we share our secrets and pour our hearts out. It imbibes everything but hardly complains. A perfect companion who listens.

With the help of these supportive tools,women are finding exciting economic avenues to explore and build their own businesses. We are no longer confined to one role. We are now entrepreneurs,role models,technical experts and social media enthusiasts all with the help of web 2.0.

With video sharing sites like YouTube becoming popular, we are finding women documentary film makers and creative artists, able to showcase their work to a much wider discerning audience.We no longer need to travel in real time to learn a new skill, or master a new language. We no longer need to wait for someone else to start a socially relevant online campaign. With web 2.0 we encourage,activate and inspire people to participate and act.

I believe with these tools at our disposal, we have the potential to build stronger women leaders who can transform and effectively contribute not only to their families but also to the society at large.

With web 2.0 EVERY woman can be a leader, EVERY woman can be a change maker.It represents us.It speaks for us.Therefore it is important to us.