Changing Perspectives, Changing Futures

Web 2.0 what a revolution! What I find most exciting about all these new technologies is the fact that they make you free of all constraints; geographical boundaries, race, sex, culture or customs all you need is a computer and internet connection! There is a world of opportunities, trillion of information article and so many amazing people to meet and exchange with. I just want to be part of the movement it’s a world of infinite possibilities.
The African woman is new to international feminist movements dealing with gender issues, most of the continent won independence 50 years ago implying that pioneer African women who were able to make their voices heard are at most 80, we do not have famous women leader as Marie Curie in the sense that African are not known but there have been African women leaders as early as Ca. 4530-3240 with the Legendary Queen Eyleuka of Ethiopia. Web 2.0 has changed this, there will be no more countries without history or with obliterated stories, and we can tell the stories of our lives no one but us.
Past the independence days; our young countries whirled in civil wars, famines drought etc. the average person outside Africa when told of Africa has a flash of skinny children with oversized stomachs; which is quite true for some parts of my beloved Africa but Africa is so much more than that. In this situation women were in a precarious situations, constantly abused physically, mentally and emotionally, they suffered discrimination and sometimes couldn’t sue the perpetrators of unthinkable acts for fear of reprisals, stigma and ostracism. Everywhere in this world there are women held behind curtains who fight battles the greatest general of antique Rome would not stand! With this new tool we are making history, tailoring solutions adapted to our environments, cultures, values and specific problems.
The 20th century in between the two world wars, the conquest of space, was marked by the birth of formal feminist movements, (not that women never fought or never helped each other) this new impetus has helped change the face of the world forever and we’re still at it. Web 2.0 has catalyzed these movements breaking the boundaries of space and time, now I can sit in Mogadishu and attend capacity building courses in Spain or learn agricultural techniques from India. Above all I can make my voice heard, denounce atrocities and still be able to keep my anonymousness, I can give my opinion on issues that concern women, and there are networks to help shoulder any burden. Gain inspiration and education, share culture and wisdom, and unlock the potential in me and others.
A baby girl is never worth a baby boy in most cultures, some have extreme manners of doing away with baby girls but I have seen women do wonderful things with the help web 2.0 there are so many examples of daily heroines who have changed their fates. That for me is more than empowering its inspirational.