The Internet can be used as a traditional activism tool - it can help to raise awareness, funds, organise protests etc. But it also allows women to organise, publicise and network in ways that we never could before. The Internet allows individuals to publish their own stories about abuse and injustice, without having to rely on larger media networks.
Online activism includes the following steps:
|
Step |
Internet tools | Example |
| Research | Search engine | Wanda feels strongly about the issue of sexual harrassment. She believes there is not enough awareness surrounding the issue, especially where she works. She uses the Altavista search engine to research statistics on sexual harrassment, what the effects are on women and discrimination laws that might apply. |
| Network | Discussion forums |
Wanda decides it's time to find other people who feel the same way about the issue. She joins a mailing list to find out what other people are doing. She uses the Google Groups search engine to find newsgroups which discuss the issue. She uses the web to find local groups in her area. |
| Define the Agenda | Wanda realises that there are already many campaigns underway dealing with sexual harrassment. She decides to narrow her attention to sexual harrassment in bars and pubs, such as the one where she works. She decides to organise a rally to raise awareness of the issue. | |
| Contact the power brokers | Search engine | Wanda uses the Altavista search engine to get the email addresses of federal, state, regional, and local officials. |
| Publicity | Web design Online petition BLOGs |
A web site was set up containing factual information, stories, an online petition, a discussion board and contacts for legal help. Wanda also set up a BLOG for a web collegue who wanted to speak out about her personal experience of sexual harrassment. She contacted local newspapers about the upcoming rally.
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