WikiIndaba conference 2024/Program/Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch 2024

Building on the rich legacy of global events aimed at closing the gender gap and advancing gender equality within the African Wikimedia movement, the WikiWomen Lunch at Wiki Indaba 2024 is a celebration of the remarkable strides made by women in this space. Just as previous initiatives like the recent WikiWomen summit 2024 in Poland, WikiWomen Camps in Argentina and Mexico City paved the way for greater gender inclusivity, this lunch serves as a platform for women Wikimedians in Africa to come together, share their experiences, and strategize for a more equitable future.

Why a special WikiWomen Summit at Wiki Indaba?

The Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch is not just an event; it's a gathering co-designed in feminist solidarity, focused on fostering a safe and inclusive environment where participants can exchange ideas, forge alliances, and build the connections necessary for continued success in the movement. This year, as we meet in person at Wiki Indaba, we honor the tireless efforts of gender organizers and contributors who have brought us to this pivotal moment. The WikiWomen Lunch is a vital step in our ongoing journey to create a more gender-equitable Wikimedia movement, echoing the spirit of past gatherings while looking forward to a future of continued collaboration and progress. How do I get involved?

Interested in joining the WikiWomen Taskforce?

The Wiki Women Taskforce (WWF) is a forthcoming steering committee to address and prioritize global initiatives focused on closing the gender gap in Wikimedia projects. This project emerges as an outcome of discussions held during the Wiki Women Camp, with the objective of creating a strategic and collaborative platform. Please find more information here. To nominate yourself for the WikiWomen Taskforce, please go to this page.

Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch Program

WikiWomen Lunch at Wiki Indaba 2024

Date: 5th October 2024

Room: [TBD], Room # [TBD]

Format: Livestream and Onsite, with Interpretation

Branding: We encourage attendees (onsite and online) to wear blue on this day.

Historically, the color blue exudes a sense of trust, stability, and intelligence. It symbolizes equality with simplicity in various cultures, along with beautiful factors like “confidence” and “authority”, that are noninvasive and objective. Unlike red, blue is non-threatening, fostering peace, dependability and security.

Since the color produces a slow physiological response, blue is also considered to be the color of creativity. Just like the vast expanse of the sky and the depth of the ocean, blue represents infinite possibilities, wisdom, and knowledge. As the theme color for Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch, blue symbolizes the empowerment, strength, and resilience of women across the globe. It encourages unity and sharing of diverse perspectives, mirroring the collaborative nature of Wikimedia movement and the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements and voices of women in all fields.

Embracing the spirit of blue at the Wiki Indaba Wiki Women Lunch inspires a sense of positivity, harmony, and progress towards a more inclusive and equitable world for women, We encourage you to have something blue on you on the day of lunch 5th October (dress, t-shirt, bandana, headwrap, any piece of clothing, or visible accessories). Let’s add some cool & fun elements to the intensity around goals of the Wiki Indaba Wiki Women Lunch 2024 .

Please note that it’s a request, not a mandate. :)

PROGRAM: Saturday, 5 October

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Register

To attend Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch 2024 Virtually or In-Person, please register by signing up below. More information on Wiki Indaba 2024 registration is available here. Join the telegram group for timely updates.

1. Bukky658 (talk) 21:14, 11 September 2024 (UTC)
2. Pellagia Njau (talk) 15:27, 14 November 2024 (UTC)

Organizing Team

• Ruby Brown
• Bukola James
• Lexy Tchuileu
• Jael Serwaa Boateng
• Pellagia Njau

Wikimedia Foundation Support Team

• Masana Mulaudzi

Outcome

Read more on the Diff Blog

The Wiki Women’s Lunch ended successfully. The conversations, ideas, and recommendations shared during the lunch will continue to shape the future of the Wiki Women Collective and the Wikimedia movement as a whole.

Key Questions Raised:

• How can we change the culture of the Wikimedia movement to be more inclusive?
• Do we need to mandate care training for admins?
• Who is responsible for care work during events like editathons?
• How do we ensure that Wikimedia spaces are safe and accessible for women and people with disabilities?

Recommendations Moving Forward:

• Create more safe spaces for women to voice their challenges and share solutions.
• Increase the representation of women in technical spaces through open, regular forums.
• Rethink the Top 3 award model to better address the unique challenges women face.
• Strengthen collaborations with local user groups and other gender-focused initiatives like Women in Red and Let’s Connect.
• Provide structural support for care work, including childcare at Wikimedia events.

Gallery

2024 Wiki Indaba WikiWomen Lunch Event

Looking for other ways to get involved? Take the WikiWomen Engagement Survey to help us understand your WikiWomen context.