WikiWomen

<< Background >>We applied for the WikiWomen project to address the underrepresentation of women on Wikipedia and promote minority language preservation through digital literacy. Wikipedia lacks adequate representation of women, especially in minority language communities, which impacts societal perceptions and cultural preservation. Through WikiWomen, we aimed to empower students, teachers, and GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) professionals to use Wikipedia as a tool for learning, research, and advocacy. The project focused on equipping participants with skills to create content in minority languages, addressing the digital and gender gaps.Key needs included:1. Closing the gender gap by increasing the visibility of women on Wikipedia.2. Promoting the use and relevance of minority languages in the digital age.3. Enhancing digital literacy, research, and language skills among students and teachers.4. Providing GLAM professionals with tools to collaborate with educational institutions.By combining these goals, WikiWomen addressed societal inequalities, fostered cultural preservation, and built capacity for digital engagement across Europe.<< Objectives >>By implementing the WikiWomen project, we aimed to address the systemic underrepresentation of women on Wikipedia, particularly in minority languages. This was a critical step toward closing the gender gap in online content and fostering diversity in knowledge sharing.Our objectives included fostering digital literacy, research, and language skills among students, enabling them to engage critically with digital platforms and contribute meaningful, high-quality content. Additionally, we sought to preserve and promote minority languages by encouraging content creation in these languages, ensuring their relevance and presence in the digital age.The project also aimed to empower teachers and glam professionals with innovative tools and methodologies to use Wikipedia as an educational and outreach platform. By building a collaborative network of students, educators, and glam institutions, we sought to sustain long-term impact, creating a framework that inspires inclusive storytelling, strengthens multilingualism, and promotes gender equity across digital spaces.<< Implementation >>The WikiWomen project implemented diverse activities to engage students, educators, and cultural institutions in addressing the gender gap on Wikipedia, promoting minority languages, and enhancing digital literacy.Development of learning and teaching resources:Collaborated with partners to create interactive educational materials aligned with the project’s objectives.Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities (LTTAs):Conducted four transnational training events, equipping participants with Wikipedia editing skills, research methods, and knowledge about minority languages.Multiplier events:Hosted events in Ireland, Fryslân, and the Basque Country, bringing together educators, GLAM professionals, and community members to showcase the project’s impact and foster collaborative networks.Community engagement:Facilitated partnerships between schools, GLAMs, and Wikimedia communities to ensure active participation and long-term impact.Sustainability and visibility:Promoted activities and results via regional workshops, social media, press, and international Wikimedia platforms to maximize reach and encourage ongoing use.<< Results >>The WikiWomen project delivered several concrete outputs and results, ensuring lasting impact and wide applicability:WikiWomen student curriculum:A set of student-focused materials designed to teach digital literacy, research, and writing skills through creating Wikipedia articles about women, with a strong focus on minority languages.WikiWomen teacher toolkit:Comprehensive resources for educators, including lesson plans, facilitator notes, and activities to integrate Wikipedia into teaching, supporting cross-curricular learning.WikiWomen GLAM toolkit:A practical guide for cultural institutions (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) to collaborate with schools, engage communities, and promote minority languages and gender representation online.Multilingual access:All results are available in the project languages and hosted on MetaWiki, enabling expansion and translation by the Wikimedia community.Regional adaptation:Resources were tailored to the specific contexts of Ireland, Fryslân, and the Basque Country, ensuring relevance to each educational and cultural setting.Enhanced networks:Strengthened collaboration between educators, students, glams, and Wikimedia communities, fostering sustainable partnerships for future initiatives.