They block and I blog!

It is undeniable that my country, Myanmar is very well-know for its lack of freedom of media. Absolutely, although we are the part of our mother land, anyone of us cannot have any opportunity of accessing what is happening across the country and speaking our voices. The present military regime might say they do not control news and press and they have accountability and transparency to the country. Obviously, however, media industry is monopolized as state-owned and they publicize is all propaganda. How can our people find solutions to reach a positively changed situation? Fortunately, international community has a strong interest on Myanmar which is under military dictatorship over twenty years. When I knew about Web 2.0, as a citizen from such a country and as a youth social and development worker, I cannot find a word to express my excitement. I can not wait to shout on behalf of our people, our women and our children. Web 2.0 creates a space for me to express to the world what we are suffering and what we would like to have such as democratization and fundamental human rights. Because of those, I am very much excited by web 2.0 and very proud of being a part of promising grassroots woman leaders around the globe.

In our tradition, we have a saying that “Not knowing is more dangerous than not having”. Hence, it is very important to make people know, be informed, to educate and to have awareness what is occurring in our society and what information is true. Personally, as I strongly believe that sharing makes difference, I would be utterly convinced that web 2.0 brings to the global woman's empowerment movement listening and talking each other in such a wonderful network. Unity as well as diversity is strength. Here, in the network, we have a common vision, missions, dreams, hopes and goals as well as we have a variety of both same and different challenges, burdens and problems in different local context. Hence, why can we not do the betterment of our future together sharing and learning each other?

When I was studying my Citizenship Education Course which was provided by British Council here, in Myanmar, last year, I started to know the word “citizen journalism”. Before that time, I had never imagined that I can become an active media worker who can serve his or her country to be informed citizens. After I have achieved the fully understanding of citizen journalism, I initiated my very first attempts writing what my organization and I am contributing in the community, what Myanmar youths are doing in their society, some current and crucial national and international issues and my perspective in Oxfam International Youth Partnerships network, in my own blog, in Facebook and in some other national and international blog spots. I received lots of comments and suggestions and we could tend to have a fruitful discussion later on. That really encourages me not to stop fighting against inequality and discrimination.