From Virtual to Facts, From The Net To Connect

I am an enthusiastic user of the world 2.0, I use all tools available . What excites me the most in this environment is the chance to meet people to share my concerns and my way of seeing the world and realize that I am not alone. I see there are many women out there trying to change the world making gender equality something real in behalf of their communities.

The good thing about 2.0 world being a fast, inmediate and non-expensive approach to comunication. Internet allow us to be online and updated with what's happening in our area of concern. Not all people have TV at work or remember to buy the newspaper every day , but there is always a cyber cafe near from us. Even governments are willing to provide grass roots with internet rather than with a TV . This is a great potencial for connecting women around causes and increase our visibility.

A good example is what happen in mass media in Argentina. Just the 5% of the global news are about women and the most of them have a women as a victim of murder. Each 3 days a woman is killed in Argentina because violence associated to gender. Topics as civil rights,leadership,gender,woman as scientists are out of the agenda. We can not control the decisions of the mass media agenda, but we can raise our voice from the new ones using since their easy access, to express ourselves.This is a great potential for connecting women around causes. The ability to experience different cultures and realize that good and bad happen everywhere, help to expand the vision of the world, enhance the approach of local problems and helps to make decisions that lead to effective outcome for situations we want to improve.

As a woman who, as many, has experienced violence, also the power of team work, I know how important is having a tool that allows you to talk, say what's wrong and find support. Now, when many women have access to the net, it's time to connect. Online networks must be turned into real support that lead effectively to solve problems that affect us,under the principle of " think globally, act local". Social networks not only help to know other realities,also help us to put our reality in the spotlight and identify resources and collaboration for our projects.

Through the internet and social networks I knew initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and promote equality that are occurring even in my own district! Recently I discovered a community radio station run by women and focused on gender and development issues, 10 blocks from my house! Never possible without Facebook. Now I am part of this team and I am very happy to contribute with my expertise to this project.

To achieve gender equality and end violence against women in all forms, We women must be able to communicate in the faster, easier and cheaper way possible. World 2.0 is a good resource regarding this. Without communication there is no action, without actions we will not achieve development. It's time to go from the net to connect and show the power of virtual in facts.