I just want to comment here that attending Wikimedia-related social events has been a remarkably positive experience for me, and for many other women I have met.  First, there's visible evidence that there really *are* other women out there - we may be smaller in number, but there is a level of camaraderie that transcends language and culture. Second, as many researchers have found, it's a lot harder to verbally abuse the person standing in front of you, and I have seen several examples of individuals who have modified their behaviour after that sort of personal "confrontation".  And, as a member of the over-50 set, I've always been pleasantly surprised at how non-marginalized older Wikimedians are - I found less age bias at Wikimedia events than I have in almost all other similar events. 

 

I do encourage those who can attend events, whether local, national or international, to do so. 

 

Risker/Anne