In class, we had the chance to look over and learn about different international feminist websites. The two that I found really interesting were Women's Net and Visualising Women's Rights in the Arab World.
Women's Net was interesting to me because the website was created to help women find sources and tools they can use to contribute to social activism. Most people are aware that women's rights in some places in Africa are complicated. Many women suffer poverty, and are unable to go to college to pursue higher educations, and the responsibility of being the main caregivers for their families and children. They are also expected to contribute to labor work with the men to provide resources for their families and homes. Women's Net acknowledges these issues and want to provide women with access to information to reaching out to other women in identifying the barriers women in Africa face. They believe in promoting gender equality and creating wider communication technologies available to women. In an article posted on the website, it was discussed about the 2011/2012 Budget plan, R670, which leaves the creators of the website hopeful that the budget will be used correctly with the justice and police to upgrade information technology, since so many women and children are potential victims to online predators.
I think this website is a great way for feminists to learn about important issues in Africa, and what should be done to fighting against gender inequality. But I noticed that the website design could use more of an eye catching layout. Perhaps the creators of the website are not fully trained in how to design layouts on websites a certain way, or maybe posting live video feeds and video blogs would also be a good attention grabber to the viewers. I also noticed on the Home Page of the website, the word "organization" is spelled incorrectly. That is not a huge issue, but it is just something I noticed right away when I visited the website.
The second website, which was VWR, which is called "Visualising Women's Rights in the Arab World" was created by women's rights activists in Arab to help strengthen the use of visual techniques for women. There are 45 women's rights activists involved in the workshop. Blogging is a useful tool in the projects to share progress of work being done and documenting workshops being held. They focus on several issues such as how women are represented in the Arab world, the Arab world's visualisation of social and political issues, conflicts in the Arab World, and women's rights worldwide. Their blogs also share stories and articles on current events and issues affect women in the Arab world on the home page.
I think this website was interesting because many women struggle for certain rights, especially in the Arab world, so I think it is great this website was created by other women's rights activists to help bring awareness and attention to women in the Arab world, and how visual techniques can be useful and helpful to them. I like the design of the art work created on the main home page, because it has a really different and unique look to it, but i also think that this website could use or offer more visual techniques that can really catch the reader's attention. Another issue that i think is a concern for a lot of feminist websites is getting the website brought to people's attention. How can people find this website or learn about it? Issues like these are important to consider so more people can visit this website and learn what they can do to help bring awareness and advocacy to women's rights in the Arab world.
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