A couple of weeks ago I was doing a spot of research – it wasn’t scientific or funded or any of the things that ‘proper’ research’ should be and I was simply trying to find out if there was a way to connect online with business groups focused on development in the Middle East, specifically through the social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Of the twelve groups I looked at though the results were disappointing as only three of them had any obvious presence on the networks. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t there – just that I couldn’t find them and they weren’t making it easy for me. (Hint - if you want to be found on the networks, publicise them on your website)
However, of those three only one was present in most of the networks I’d been using to find potential business partners – they were on Facebook, Twitter, Scribd, Youtube and blogger and I can say that they are actively following the conversations too – how do I know this? Because I sent a message out to them at about midday on 13th and within the hour I’d received a reply ….
And guess what, the group is a women’s group operating in Egypt called The Association for the Development and Enhancement of Women, their mission is to
“To create suitable conditions for Egyptian women especially female heads of households on two levels: personal and societal. On a societal level we seek to change the culture of the community, change laws and policies and change women’s image in society and on a personal level we seek to empower women by giving them life skills in various areas through our programs and activities.”
And to say that they are leading by example would be an understatement. What I found so surprising, with my European head on, was that this was a group of women, trouncing the men at every opportunity and yet, the impression we have here in the West is that women in the Arab world are not encouraged to be visible. It certainly opened my eyes to the opportunities and I’m very much hoping that they will partner with us at some point in the future – but that’s an assumption and very early days of course.
So, let me just list where you can find them:
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/ADEWegypt
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11278969977
- Blogger: http://adew-egypt.blogspot.com/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/adew78
- Scribd: http://www.scribd.com/doc/14479533/ADEW-Program-Presentation
Why not go and have a look and have your own assumptions challenged too …!
