Women’s Support in the Wikimedia Movement: A Panel by Africa Wiki Women at Wiki Indaba 2024

At Wiki Indaba 2024 in South Africa, Africa Wiki Women (AWW) hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Women’s Support in the Wikimedia Movement.” This panel brought together contributors from across the continent to share experiences on what it takes for women to not only participate but also thrive within the Wikimedia community.The panel discussion focused on how to increase support for women and non binary people in the Wikimedia movement, especially in the African context

Facilitated by Ruby D-Brown (Ghana), the session featured personal insights from Pellagia Njau (Tanzania), Donia ELDomiaty (Morocco), Sandrah Aceng (Uganda) Jael Boateng (Ghana), and Dominique Eliane Yao sigan (Côte d’Ivoire). These voices uncovered the challenges women face, the kinds of support they need, and strategies for building sustainable participation in Wikimedia spaces.

Challenges Women Face

The session also explored the systemic challenges that women encounter, both within Wikimedia and in their local contexts.

• Gender roles and cultural expectations continue to hinder women’s ability to participate openly. In some cultures, women are not allowed to speak publicly or make decisions, which limits their contributions to the movement. However, participants noted that education and awareness are helping break these barriers, with many women feeling more empowered especially when they see other women actively participating and sharing their stories.
• Resource limitations also affect visibility—women’s achievements are often underrecognized, making it difficult to document and represent their contributions on Wikipedia. The lack of available resources and relevant sources for documenting women’s stories further exacerbates this issue resulting in the significant knowledge gaps.
• Discrimination remains a significant issue. In many cases, the lower number of female contributors compared to male counterparts stems from exclusionary attitudes and subtle biases within communities, making it harder for women to contribute freely.
• Another critical point raised was the lack of mental health support—spaces where women can connect, bond, and talk about their challenges without judgment. Creating environments for women to relax and feel heard is key to ensuring their long-term well-being and involvement.
• Family and Career Responsibilities: Many women juggle multiple roles, including professional work, household duties, and child-rearing, making it difficult to dedicate the necessary time to contribute regularly to Wikimedia projects. This can lead to burnout or a sense of exclusion when they are unable to keep up with ongoing campaigns or initiatives.

Support Women Need to Participate and Thrive

The panel also highlighted on how simple forms of support—such as childcare at Wikimedia events—can make a huge difference. Many women find themselves forced to choose between caregiving and participation, and providing childcare at events ensures that women, especially mothers, do not feel excluded.

Other logistical barriers, such as travel assistance and internet access, were identified as essential needs. Women from regions with limited resources often struggle to engage consistently without these lifelines. For them, reliable access to these basic resources determines whether they can stay connected and involved.

Also engaging media to ensure that their work is reflective of the various genders and not just reflecting a particular gender and views. 

Acknowledging women’s efforts in our movement by considering other forms of metrics.

Changing the Way We Measure Impact

The panel emphasized the importance of rethinking how impact is measured in Wikimedia spaces. Metrics like the Wikimedia Dashboard tend to focus on quantitative contributions—such as the number of edits or new articles. However, women often contribute in different, yet equally valuable ways.

For example, women are often at the forefront of event planning, administrative work, and organizing communities—but these efforts frequently go unrecognized. To ensure that women’s contributions are not overlooked, the panel called for a more inclusive approach to measuring impact, one that takes into account these behind-the-scenes efforts.

Moving Beyond Temporary Solutions: Building Sustainable Systems

The discussion moved from short-term support toward long-term, sustainable frameworks. Panelists emphasized that real change requires more than just sporadic efforts—it calls for sustained support programs and being intentional about the strategis we use to engage women. These initiatives equip women with the skills and confidence to take on decision-making roles and become active leaders in the Wikimedia movement.

Several success stories were shared, illustrating how continuous support translates into higher retention rates and deeper engagement. When women feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay committed to Wikimedia projects, share their knowledge, and grow as contributors.

Shifting Mindsets and Building Solidarity

One of the session’s most powerful messages was the need to stop comparing women’s contributions to men’s. Women’s roles, responsibilities, and experiences are different, and these differences should be embraced as strengths, not weaknesses.

The importance of storytelling emerged as a key theme—sharing personal journeys helps build solidarity and motivates others. When women see other women thrive, they are inspired to join, contribute, and stay engaged. Viewing each other as allies, rather than competitors, creates a sense of community that nurtures growth and resilience.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Participants left the session with several important insights:

• Support must be diverse: Whether it’s childcare, internet access, or mental health spaces, different forms of support are necessary to ensure women’s participation.
• Systemic barriers must be addressed: Discrimination, cultural norms, and lack of resources require thoughtful strategies and persistent advocacy.
• Sustainable frameworks are essential: Building inclusive environments and providing continuous support are crucial to keeping women engaged.
• We need new metrics for impact: Women’s contributions—especially in organizing, administrative work, and leadership—must be acknowledged and celebrated.
• Creating Safe Spaces: Emphasizing the importance of safe and welcoming environments where women can collaborate without fear of harassment or discrimination.
• Providing women with soft skills in the Wikimedia movement can significantly enhance their ability to contribute effectively, lead initiatives, and overcome challenges they face in the community. Soft skills are essential for collaboration, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. 

Africa Wiki Women: A Movement for Change

The theme explored during the panel aligns closely with the mission of Africa Wiki Women, which aims to bridge the gender gap across Wikimedia projects. Through community-driven events, capacity-building programs, and advocacy for inclusivity, Africa Wiki Women empowers women to actively contribute to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia platforms.

By cultivating spaces where women can connect and share their stories, Africa Wiki Women works to create a movement that reflects the realities and aspirations of African women.

(All pohotos are licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0 by Ruby D-Brown)