Hello friends,

As we approach the month of march; which also happens to be the International Women’s Month, many activities will occur globally throughout the month to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women. One of such events is the Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, which started as a response to the gender gap in content and participation on Wikipedia, and is now entering its 5th year.

What’s a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon? Did you know that in 2011 the Wikimedia Foundation found that just 8.5% of editors on the platform were women? The annual Art+Feminism events around the world are addressing these gaps by inviting women and participants of all gender identities and expressions to gather for an all-day, communal updating of Wikipedia entries on art and feminism. Events have been held in a variety of educational and cultural institutions, and generally include workshops for new editors, resource materials, snacks, childcare and other programming. The focus of entries are expansive, participants contribute to articles on tech, comics, social advocacy, black contemporary art, and more.

The Wikimedia Ghana Usergroup have a variety of events outlined for the 2018 year and so many here already have their hands full. New users, or anybody who wants to take the lead and wishes to organize an Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon is welcome, and should fee free to get in touch.

If I’m interested, what happens next? The Art+Feminism leadership collective supports Edit-a-thon organizers by: providing an organizer’s kit with suggested workflow, promotional photos, and training materials. Thanks to a grant by the Wikimedia Foundation, organizers are offered funding to defray the costs of refreshments and childcare along with online training for organizers, and a community of support. You are welcome to hold an event on any date in the month of March that makes sense for your community.

Thank you.

Have a good evening.

-Masssly