Digital Media as an equalizer

I started blogging in 2004 when blogging was not so popular, and MySpace was the “coolest” platform for socializing. I was taking a class on media and its influence on society, and part of the class was to encourage us to become more active on the web which for me meant blogging.

Since then, I have been hooked. I am an ardent follower and consumer of digital media in all its forms. However, it was not until four years ago that I realized the true power of such a platform. Having followed closely the Kenyan elections, I was intrigued by Ushahidi, and being the curious type- I continued to follow the posts, and engage my friends and family who were at the time in Kenya. This experience was further enhanced by the Tunisia and Egypt revolutions that brought leaders to their knees- so to speak. What was encouring is that this web 2.0 experience was an equalizer in the sense that women stepped out and engaged themselves to a cause and in a greater sense showed the world that ‘YES, Women can and do participating in reformation of nations, and communities. This unspoken declaration was empowering to many young women in my community.

Web 2.0 has given voice to women in a way that no other platform can. But most importantly, it has given them a voice. Now, women can speak out for themselves, instead of relying on a few number of women to represent them on a global stage. When Sheryl Sandberg released her book “Lean in”, women all over the world became engaged on the debate of whether Sandberg’ view on women and feminism truly represented them. Social media has empowered women in a way that it gives them a three-dimension personality, with access to a platform where they can express their opinions on any and all issues they are interested in. The same can be said bout the blogging sphere.

Web 2.0 is my tool of empowerment, and I am always excited to see where it will take me next. Through web 2.0, I have been able to express my ideas, maintain a business, work with a great number of women who I would not have known nor met were it not for digital media. I see Web 2.0 as a canvas where I can paint a picture that is a reflection of who I am, what I believe, what I am passionate about, and truly express and explore my dreams and my aspirations.