2010 VOF Week 1

During the past two decades, society has witnessed a rapid evolution in and adoption of computer technologies and the Internet. There is thus no doubt that today’s society is swiftly becoming dependent on technology and in particular, computers. As a result, what better way to reach out to the world to make individuals aware of global issues, than to use computer technology.

Being an organisational psychologist with an interest in human-computer interaction (HCI), Web2.0 excites me because it brings together my two areas of interest, that of human interaction and behaviour and digital network technologies. Web 2.0 gives us, as women of the world, an opportunity to thread our knowledge with the knowledge of others, weaving connections across continents and building community-in short making the world a little bit smaller and helping us as participants to close the six degrees gap of separation. Web 2.0 gives us as users the opportunity to build a platform of engagement and possibility to explore thematic territory that might otherwise have been disregarded.
Web 2.0 offers a space for global women’s empowerment to come to the fore by affording us the option of connecting with other women in order to voice the needs of women, to buy into online discussions around the best ways to empower women. We are able to tap into each other’s knowledge, skills, competencies and abilities at the touch of a button and there is a strong possibility that no matter the distance, we are able to relate to each other’s situations. Web 2.0 gives women everywhere the opportunity to network with each other in creative ways and in this way, brainstorm ideas and innovations to address issues such as gender violence and inequality.

For me, Web 2.0 has empowered me by giving me glimpses into the lives of women around the world who are not so different from me, who have had similar life experiences, who are powerful and empowered in their own special ways. It gives me hope, it gives me faith, it gives me peace to know that I share a similar vision to others and that we are united in one sphere to address global issues of a social, political and economical nature.