Social media mobilizes! Together we woman can fight for a better world!

Social media through Web2.0 has made the world come alive. Everyday I make friends with people around the world. I learn of their experience and from their hardships. I join in their fights and feel like I belong to the world as a whole.

My first experience was with Avaaz.org – The world in action. Avaaz.org has been able to mobilize the world through the web with calls to action including the red shirt campaign for democracy and the Burmese monks. Through facebook we “the people” spread the word and then joined the demonstrations, demonstrations happened worldwide. It was incredible to experience the power of the media and to see for one’s self how quickly the message could be sent to people worldwide. Suddenly red shirts were everywhere. Vigils are another tool and I was able to organize a vigil for the climate meeting in Copenhagen in my town. Again using only the web, people were called together, made their posters and met on the world squares to show their support for our world.

On our square in a small city we were only about 20 people who gathered but the meeting gave warmth. It showed us that we are not alone to stand for the rights of people and to support our earth. We joined in songs, and really felt “We shall overcome”!

My organization is called ENIL-European Network on Independent Living. We are learning from these tools and mobilizing disabled people and their supporters. We want a better world. A world where there is no shame for someone who is different, someone missing a leg, an arm, sight or hearing. We want a better world with buildings that do not shut us out. We want a better world where disabled people have access to the services needed to be able to have full participation in this world that we all share together.

And my journey has led me to World Pulse and Voices of the Future! To be able to join women around the world, to have our voices heard and to support one another is an experience of JOY. We know that women are not enjoying an equal status in this world. We know that women are carrying heavy burdens when it comes to the raising of families. We know that women do not have the same opportunity to education and employment allowing them to be independent. But together we can change this! We can change this and Web 2.0 and social medias will make this difference. We can build this social network and mobilize one another. We can support one another during hard times and share the joy when we experience progress. Viva the web! And the women of this world!