The Power of the Internet and Women’s Rights in Guatemala

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Introduction

With the rapid growth of new digital media technologies, such as the Internet, the public has more choices and opportunities to communicate with people globally. As Bill Gates proclaimed, “the Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” Media can determine the tremendous role its play in not only our daily lives but also its profound impact on modern society’s cognitive perception of the world. The initial proposal for this paper is to answer how the Internet transforms Guatemalan society as well as improves Guatemalan women’s right, in particular, indigenous women in rural areas. The first assumption here is that the Internet is a vital tool to raise awareness of women’s rights in Guatemala. Minorities in the country, particularly indigenous women have less equally or inferiorly treated by its society. On the other hand, Guatemalan women’s liberation is an inseparable piece of its society’s liberation, which would drive economy flourish and politics more actively. In the context of women’s liberation, the education for women has significantly affected the region. According to the USAID, “more than two million children do not attend school – most of them are indigenous girls in rural areas.” Ultimately distribution of more equal educational opportunities for women plays a significant role in achieving social, political and economic equality in society. So the second assumption and more contentious one is that through utilizing an emerging new media and improving women’s rights in Guatemala, this country would be able to rise in GDP and per capita as well as more active political participation, which could reform a democratic system in Guatemala. By undertaking an in-depth analysis, it i...

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...2).

The OECD Development Centre. "Gender Equality in Guatemala | Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI)." Social Institution and Gender Index. http://genderindex.org/country/guatemala (accessed February 3, 2012).

"Time for Women to Shape Politics in Guatemala | UN Women." UN Women | United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. http://www.unwomen.org/2011/09/time-for-women-to-shape-politics-in-guatemala/ (accessed February 2, 2012).

"USAID/Guatemala: Our Programs - Health and Education." U.S. Agency for International

Development (USAID). http://www.usaid.gov/gt/health_education.htm (accessed February 6, 2012).

"USAID Telling Our Story: Guatemala - Getting Women's Rights on the Agenda." U.S.

Agency for International Development (USAID). http://www.usaid.gov/stories/guatemala/ss_gtm_court.html (accessed February 5, 2012).

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