World Pulse wants to hear YOUR testimony on Access to the Internet!

Dear sisters,

Today, freedom of expression and equal access to knowledge and ideas has become synonymous with access to the Internet. As we witness on PulseWire every day, the Web has opened a new frontier for the free exchange of ideas, exposure to new markets, and global forums for building movements. Yet hundreds of thousands of people are excluded from participating—due to cost and infrastructure, threats to safety, government censorship, etc.

I want to invite you to participate in a new campaign on PulseWire on the topic of Universal Internet Access and Digital Freedom. We are asking PulseWire sisters to share your personal testimonies on obstacles faced and risks taken in accessing the Internet to seek information, speak freely, and connect globally. As well as innovative ways you're utilizing the Internet to accelerate change in your life, your community, or globally. How has the Internet made a difference in your life? What will it take to improve access in your community, and what does Universal Internet Access and Digital Freedom mean to you?

World Pulse was built on the principle that every woman deserves the freedom and forum to speak for herself and build a global network of support. Over the last three years, we have witnessed an uprising of grassroots women leaders from 185 countries, harnessing the power of web 2.0 through our online community platform, PulseWire, to connect across borders and accelerate change.

In October 2010, World Pulse conducted a PulseWire community survey, soliciting insight on how you're utilizing our platform for personal and community empowerment, and how we can improve our technology to further facilitate your potential for success. In analyzing the results, the issue of access emerged as a key concern for our community, with cost, access to a computer or smart phone, consistent electricity, and censorship reported as main barriers to connecting online.

Raise your voice and speak your truth to bring awareness to this rising, global human rights issue. Together, let's lead the conversation and ensure a gender lens on global advocacy efforts to bridge the digital divide and demand our right to access!

Your testimonies will be leveraged to advocate for Universal Internet Access and Digital Freedom at the highest levels of policy-makers and International Human Rights bodies.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Write your Testimony
   In your PulseWire journal, share your personal testimony on the every day obstacles you face and risks you take in accessing the Internet. How has the Internet made a difference in your life, what will it take to improve access in your community, and what does Universal Internet Access and Digital Freedom mean to you?




2. Tag your Journal
   In the tag field of your journal, type Access Now to be sure your post is included in our campaign and advocacy work.




3. Be Heard!
   World Pulse is committed to leveraging your voices for global change. We will compile your testimonies and share them with key policy-makers and International Human Rights bodies. Submit your testimony on PulseWire by June 17, 2011 to ensure your voice is included in our advocacy campaign.




4. Be Published!
   Throughout the campaign World Pulse will select and publish the most powerful testimonies in the Community Voices column of our online Magazine.




5. Invite your Friends
   Post a link to your testimony on your Facebook or Twitter account, and encourage your friends to join us. Together, we are stronger!

LEARN MORE >>

In solidarity,
Jade and the World Pulse team