WikiNisa is a WCM project focusing on women in Malta and addressing the gender gap on Wikimedia projects. It aims to document and raise awareness about women’s contributions to Maltese society and culture, as well as the challenges they face. This group, founded Katja Zahra Camilleri and Enrique Tabone in 2024, works on issues related to women, and more generally to diversity, as represented in Wikimedia projects. As such it is align with similar groups within the Wikimedia Movement, such as WikiDonne and WikiMujeres.
Objectives
- Document Women’s Contributions: Highlight the achievements of Maltese women in various fields, such as politics, arts, science, and social activism.
- Raise Awareness: Educate the public about the existing gender gap in Malta and its implications for society.
- Encourage Participation: Invite community members to contribute their knowledge and experiences, particularly women, to ensure diverse voices are represented.
Activities
- Content Creation: Develop and edit Wikipedia articles about notable Maltese women, historical events related to gender issues, and relevant organizations.
- Workshops and Training: Organise events to teach participants how to edit Wikipedia and contribute to open knowledge platforms.
- Collaborations: Partner with local women’s organizations, educational institutions, and cultural groups to gather information and promote the project.
- Research and Surveys: Conduct research on the status of women in various sectors in Malta to inform content and strategies for addressing the gender gap.
Impact
- Increased Visibility: By documenting women’s achievements and challenges, the project helps raise awareness and fosters appreciation for their roles in society.
- Empowerment: Encouraging women to share their stories and experiences can empower them and inspire future generations.
- Actionable Insights: The data collected can inform policy discussions and initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in Malta.
WikiNisa’s focus on community engagement to teach others how to contribute to Wiki projects is vital for fostering knowledge sharing and cultural representation. Here are some strategies the group uses to effectively engage with communities:
Strategies for Community Engagement
- Workshops and Training Sessions
- Editing Workshops: Organize hands-on sessions where participants learn how to create and edit Wikipedia articles, focusing on topics relevant to Maltese culture and women’s contributions.
- Online Tutorials: Provide video tutorials or written guides that walk users through the basics of editing Wikipedia, Wikicommons and using Wikidata.
- Collaborative Editing Events
- Edit-a-thons: Host community events where participants come together to edit Wikipedia, specifically focusing on underrepresented topics, such as women in Malta.
- Themed Events: Organize events around specific themes (e.g., women in science, arts, history) to inspire focused contributions.
- Community Outreach
- Local Partnerships: Collaborate with schools, universities, and local organizations to reach a broader audience and encourage participation.
- Awareness Campaigns: Use social media and local media outlets to promote the importance of contributing to Wiki projects and how they benefit the community.
- Supportive Environment
- Mentorship: Pair experienced editors with newcomers to provide guidance and support during the learning process.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Create spaces for participants to ask questions and share their experiences, fostering a sense of community.
- Showcasing Contributions
- Recognition Events: Celebrate contributions by recognizing individuals or groups who make significant edits or additions to Wiki projects.
- Highlighting Success Stories: Share stories of successful edits or articles that have made an impact, motivating others to participate.
By actively involving community members and providing the necessary tools and support, WikiNisa aims to empower individuals to contribute to Wikimedia projects meaningfully. This not only enhances the richness of content available but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in documenting Maltese culture and society through the achievements of women.
Related Wikimedia projects