Never underestimate the unitive power of social media. Through platforms like YouTube, our daily dose of messages via WhatsApp, our endless updates from all over the world via Instagram Stories—we live both in a physical space but also in a medium that exists entirely in our screens that knows no borders.
This is why the Internet and social media can be quite an impressive tool to empower. When you don’t have a voice and you feel all alone, one click can bring you closer to the people you are in tune with. Many success stories of today’s achievers started out with a simple MySpace page (can you guess our age by that reference?) In fact, our digital consciousness has grown so much that even traditional celebrities are creating online identities to keep themselves relevant. What’s a movie star compared to a YouTube sensation that’s candid, relatable, and real?
From these many online personalities, a few standout for their contribution to empowering women. They’ve been heard across the globe, encouraging more people to speak out just like them. In the time when feminism is taking a forefront and women empowerment is the main thread of today’s revolution, that’s something spectacular. And it would be amiss to not participate in it.
We’ve also learned that when it comes to empowering women, it pays to start young. And when it comes to teaching them how they can utilize social media to influence real change, it doesn’t hurt to encourage them fully.
These are the thoughts that fuel It’s a Girl Thing. Presented by Branded and Globe Live, the event gathered a few of today’s favorite social media personalities for one whole day of talks, meets and greets, plus workshops. Topics focused on issues that matter most of girls such as elf-confidence, bullying, health and wellness and body shaming. Think about it as a huge girls day out!
“It’s a Girl Thing celebrates, empowers, and inspires teenage girls and addresses some of the key issues that affect them in today’s digital world,” says Jasper Donat, CEO of Branded.
It brought teenagers girls in the live presence of influencers and vloggers, like Megan Batoon, LianeV (Valenzuela), Meredith Foster, Asia Jackson and Andrea H., Janina Vela, Hannah Pangilinan, AC Bonifacio, Reneé Dominique, and Solenn Heussaff joined in the fun. Each woman shared their expertise in various fields as well from acting, makeup artistry, fashion, and social advocacy. This multi-faceted approach truly catered to the 2,100 girls in attendance. Woah!
“The IAGT platform is a great fit for the Dove Self Esteem Project and our new partnership with Cartoon Network and their hit show Steven Universe, ensuring the next generation grow up with improved self esteem and confidence so they can reach their full potential,” says Jackie Manago, brand manager of Dove.
What was amazing about the even was how it proved the digital space is powerful and when moved into the physical world is effective. Women and girls where able to exchange thoughts, they were assured that they have friends that actually exist, and that their social media presence is important. This is especially true when it comes to forwarding progressive advocacies or just simply creating a comfortable space for people with common interests: from makeup to music, from the personal to the political.
Hopefully this year’s success makes It’s a Girl Thing come back next year, with bigger events and more participants to shape the digital landscape for the better.
Photo courtesy of Globe Live
Art by Marian Hukom
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