Women'sNet: An Initiative for the Advancement of Gender Equality in South Africa

The population of a developing nation often falls victim to political battles and social upheaval. As a result, such issues as women’s rights, gender roles, and other human rights initiatives are often neglected or overlooked. With accessibility to the Internet on the rise in developing nations, there is a possibility to reach an audience that is enduring these trials and tribulations often in disadvantaged areas. Therefore, it is important to utilize this opportunity to shed light on human rights issues and the people behind them. An example of an inspiring organization that fights for human rights, in particular the advance of gender equality, is Women’sNet in South Africa.

Formed in March 1998, Women'sNet launched as a joint initiative of South African Non-Governmental Organisation Network and the Commission on Gender Equality. This collaboration hoped to develop a network that would facilitate the promotion of gender equality in South Africa. Its approach of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is allowing the issue of gender equality to be brought to the table. This organization allows the woman's voice to be amplified through the sharing of knowledge and information. It is the strategic use of ICTs that allows Women'sNet "to create a society where women and girls are agents of social change."

We Work with Women. Women'sNet created a platform for the African women's voice to be heard. The organization facilitates the production of quality content by women, for women, and about women as well as gender. The organization works in partnership with other women's organizations by focusing on issues of concern to women, at the same time increasing capacities to develop content in efforts to educate on the issue of gender equality. The website, www.womensnet.org.za, offers a forum for women to share their thoughts and knowledge and, by doing so, forms a sense of community where women can educate themselves about women's rights and, more specifically, gender and the basic right for gender equality. In addition to its online content, its publication, a newsletter entitled Intersections: Feminism in Action, provides information on how women's rights organizations can strategically use ICTs to support their work and activism.

We Empower. Women'sNet concentrates on generating content and information and disseminating it to other women's rights initiatives in attempts to reach a wide audience throughout South Africa and spreading its influence to other African nations. It is vital that this type of an alternative media exist especially in disadvantaged parts of the world. With the help of Women'sNet and other organizations of the same nature, the message about gender equality receives the attention it requires. This is definitely a step in the right direction. As is the purpose of journalism to allow people to self-govern and, in turn, form a democracy, so is the purpose of Women'sNet to make strides in promoting gender equality in South Africa and create a positive example for others to follow suit.