A tool in the exercise of democracy

Connection and collaboration, recommendation, networking, a voice to the voiceless, inspiration and a chance for participation in change & access to resources that were previously not available to all are just some of the things that I think are exciting about Web 2.0

My last few weeks of interaction with this group at World Pulse a string demonstration of the power of web 2.0. I have to connect with people from different continents; I have read their stories and heard their “voices’. Through this connection I have learnt others fears, their values and their principles - what they are ready to stand and fight for. I have read stories that moved me to tears, some that made me laugh and others that opened up my world view. In just a few weeks I have been inspired, challenged and taught to think beyond my borders.

I use Web 2.0 tools to and connect with other people share information and learn. My Mantra in life is that a candle losses nothing by lighting another. I am open to hearing others opinions as well as share my experiences. Web 2.0 is definitely a good networking tool!

As a student of communication development I have come to appreciate communication as not just a tool to pass messages but as a right and a resource. Web 2.0 is a part of this important resource that helps us exercise our right to information. It can help the course of women empowerment by giving women a a chance to access knowledge that better equips them to make informed decisions. I think being able to make decisions while fully aware of the available options is true freedom. Web 2.0 empowers us -women - to be free as it exposes us to the different options available as compared to traditional media where the options available were largely dependent on editors. And us we have learnt Women hold less than 1% of the top positions in global media.

I think Web 2.0 can be used to better position women for leadership positions in my country Kenya. 2012 is an election year in my country. The public is quickly appreciating the power of social media as witnessed in a recent campaign to raise money to fight drought in North Eastern Kenya – Kenyans for Kenyan Initiative (http://www.kenyans4kenya.co.ke). Women aspiring for leadership positions will harness the power of social media and use it to sell their agenda. Hon Martha Karua is one woman who is tapping the power of social media with close to 150,000 facebook fans and over 27,000 fans on Twitter with whom she frequently engages in discussions and debates.(See @Martha_W_Karua)

Maybe aspiring women leaders right from the grassroots to the national level need training on the use of web 2.0 for campaign purposes…? Is Web 2.0 a tool for democracy? Could it bring our leaders closer to us? Hmm now that is something I am thinking about just from this lesson