As an educationalist, with interest in women’s development ranging from grassroots to higher education, I believe that the possibility of women using and creating social media spaces is a progressive notion and a way forward towards the goal of women empowerment. The internet has emerged as a critical tool in determining ones’ identity, social status, career success and to stay connected in a globalized world. In this digital age it is essential even for women to be internet savvy in order to survive.
Positive Change in the lives of women
Social networking sites have played a pivotal role in groups, communities and the society at large. These innovations have ignited social change and changed the lives of women.
- A space for Self-expression
The results of the rampant spread of social media phenomenon also saw women who have had limited access to education, employability, barriers such as caste/class/gender, language and mobility, have access to social media. Encountering multiple forms of discrimination, it became an important space particularly for assertion of identities. It enabled women to express their ‘voice’ in more suitable, convenient, appropriate and in largely uncontested spaces. Women like Meena Kandasamy, award-winning writer, Christina Dhanraj, co-founder of Dalit History Month project, Ginni Mahi, famous pop-singer, Meena Kotwal, award-winning independent journalist, Kiruba Munusamy and Disha Wadekar, human rights lawyers, amongst countless others use social media as a space for self-expression.
Prof. Sandra Joseph
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