Web 2.0: A platform for Women's Economic Empowerment in a Time of Crisis

I consider myself a resident of the World Wide Web, perhaps more now with the introduction of Web 2.0 platforms and tools. What excites me most about the use of this technology is the fact that I have access to information AND I have the opportunity to provide feedback on the material posted. I am in essence an advocate for human rights and democracy and one who strives to have input into policy discussion at home and abroad. I am also a woman from a small country where decisions made multilaterally largely affect us. Furthermore, it offers the sense that I am not alone. I can meet and maintain contact with other women seeking to empower themselves and others on the other side of the world.

This fact has huge implications for the global women’s empowerment movement. Be it fighting against domestic violence, seeking women’s political party involvement or finding creative options for women’s economic empowerment, Web 2.0 tools serve as a platform for support, motivation and exchange of ideas to change our own lives and the lives of others in our community. Likewise, a small island girl of the Caribbean can help inspire a young woman in another small island like Fiji and vice versa.

I am particularly concerned about women’s economic empowerment. As a citizen of a small island state, my country is heavily influenced by multilateral decisions and the economies of larger countries. If other countries are doing badly so are we and women are severely affected by unemployment and underemployment. It is worse yet considering the number of female-headed households that have children to take care of. Lack of lucrative opportunities locally, coupled with the rising cost of food and energy is a disaster in the making and I fear to think what my country will be like in the next five years.

Web 2.0 tools like Twitter and Facebook have been fundamental in keeping up my morale and in sharing experiences of how women - the world over - are dealing with the current economic crisis. I have been able to participate in webinars, read blogs and communicate with others to discuss options and share experiences towards their own struggle of economic independence. Furthermore, it is possible to join other women together locally to trade goods and services via the Web with others across the globe and buy from them as well. Lastly, it is my belief that Web 2.0 should bring women together to discuss and make recommendations on what the global economic landscape should look like as we move into 2012.