The Wikimedia Movement is one of the most important, collaborative, and community driven initiatives in the world, it is also a meeting place to produce knowledge in a participatory way. But what happens when half of the population is underrepresented or not represented at all in these projects?
Currently, only 18% of the content in all Wikimedia projects, including biographies on Wikipedia, are of women. About 25% of movement organizers, who lead events, build community identity, and direct priorities for the movement, are also women. Historically, more men than women have edited Wikipedia. This has a direct result on the kind of information that is covered and how that information is presented.
Change first begins with knowledge and on International Women’s Day this year, the Foundation aims to shed light on the gender bias across the information landscape by sharing the facts and highlighting the Wikimedia movement’s efforts in closing these gaps.
On March 8th, the Wikimedia Foundation will be hosting a virtual panel discussion #BreaktheBias – Celebrating women’s achievement and taking action for equity with movement leaders who are working to improve gender diversity in the Wikimedia projects and moderated by our very own CEO, Maryana Iskander. It will take place virtually at 16:00 to 17:00 UTC and you can join the event by clicking here.
Join us to learn more about the movement’s achievements, challenges, and opportunities in closing the gender gap. Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community!
Panelists will include:
Carmen Alcazar – Wikimedian of the Year 2021; President of Wikimedia Mexico, Founder of Editatona.
Erina Mukuta – Project Lead, Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda
Mónica Bonilla-Parra – Project Coordinator, Wikimedia Colombia
Rosie Stephenson-Goodknight – Trustee, Wikimedia Foundation