Episode #1–Behind The Story

Episode Insights

In this debut episode, we journey into the origin story of Africa Wiki Women, to understand how the shared vision of three women to empower African women and amplify their stories on the world’s largest free knowledge platform is bringing together changemakers from across the continent to drive meaningful change and address underpresentation.

The discussion reveals the early challenges encountered within the Wikimedia ecosystem, and how those experiences inspired the creation of a more inclusive and supportive space for African women. We delve into the role of global collaboration and leadership in breaking stereotypes and building a stronger community. The episode also explores the ongoing struggle to authentically tell African women’s stories and the innovative, resilient strategies being employed by the Africa Wiki Women to break down long-standing barriers.

^{The Guests}

Ruby Damenshie-Brown; Co founder for Africa wiki women, wiki women Usergroup coordinator, Comscom committee member.

Bukola James; Nigerian, certified librarian. Sub-Saharan Liason of Let's Connect. Co-founder of Africa Wiki Women. Vice Chair of Wikipedia+Education User Group. Chairman of Learnovation Network Foundation.

Pellagia Njau; Co-founder of Africa Wiki Women and a Grant Committee member for the Middle East and Africa.

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^{Episode #2—Does Open Knowledge Fuel Gender Equity?}

Episode Insight

In this episode, we step back to explore a deeper question to understand the linkage between open knowledge and gender equity on a global scale. The conversation uncovers how the dots connect and how this connection empowers African women to correct historical gaps and reclaim their narratives.

Our guest emphasizes the urgent need to rethink how leadership is viewed within the Wikimedia movement, pointing out the systemic barriers that continue to limit African women's representation. The conversation also brings to light the issue of data neutrality, and stresses that achieving real inclusion requires deliberate efforts.

Guest

Bridgit Kurgat; is an award winning gender equity advocate and the current Gender Lead at the Wikimedia Foundation. She leads global efforts to close gender gaps in knowledge, leadership, and participation within the Wikimedia movement, and played a key role in the formation of the WikiWomen Task Force

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^{Episode #3—Languages on The Brink}

Episode Insight

Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent, home to approximately 2,100 to 3,000 native tongues. but this diversity is under threat. UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger lists a significant proportion of African languages at risk, with up to 10% mostly those spoken by small, communities projected to vanish within a century. This raises a vital question: is Africa slowly losing a central piece of its identity?

This episode takes a closer look at the state of cultural and linguistic preservation on the continent. It explores what is being done right, the role of artificial intelligence in documenting and preserving languages, and where misuse and ethical concerns come into play. It also sheds light on the systemic biases that limit the visibility of indigenous African languages on Wikimedia projects and discusses practical strategies to address these gaps.

Guest

Tochi Precious:Tochi Precious is a seasoned programme manager and language advocate with over seven years of experience leading initiatives in the Wikimedia movement and startup incubation. She is the co-founder of the Igbo Wikimedians User Group and currently serves as a Wikimedian in Residence at Wikitongues, where she works at the intersection of open knowledge, indigenous languages, and community empowerment. Her work amplifies under-represented voices and supports grassroots language preservation through inclusive, community-led approaches.

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Episode #4—African Women and the Tech Turn in Wikimedia

Episode Insight

This episode unpacked the tension between the global design of Wikimedia’s tech tools and their real-world accessibility for communities on the margins especially women organisers with limited technical backgrounds. It questioned why, despite the availability of powerful tools, a wide gap remains in actual usage and understanding. At its heart, the discussion grappled with the deeper issue of gender imbalance within Wikimedia’s technical spaces, asking what it would take for African women not just to participate, but to fully belong and lead.

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Recorded audio of AWW Voices Podcast Episode 4

Guest

Euphemia Uwandu: Euphemia Uwandu is a Programs Officer with the Campaigns team at the Wikimedia Foundation. In this role, she supports her team in connecting local organizers within the movement to a variety of organizing tools, guiding them in their use for both small- and large-scale campaigns and events. When she is not supporting tool adoption and learning, she assists local organizers in implementing the global annual WikiForHumanRights campaign and empowers campaign organizers to strengthen their capacities.

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Episode #5—Knowledge Integrity: Role of the Individual Agency

Episode Insight

This episode explored knowledge integrity in open information ecosystems, the act of information manipulation and roles of individuals in building resilience . It unpacked the need for grassroots digital literacy empowerment to combat information manipulation. Emphasizing strategies for collaborative partnerships by actors within digital information ecosystem and the importance of leveraging technology to address these issues.

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Recorded audio of AWW Voices Podcast Episode 5

Guest

Alicia Olago is an environmental scientist and CfA’s senior product manager at sensors AFRICA. She holds a M.A. in Environment, Security & Governance, specialisation in Climate Security from the University for Peace (Costa Rica). She leads a team of Hardware Engineers and Technologists in a citizen science initiative, developing & utilizing IoT sensors & other remote sensing technologies to monitor air, water & sound pollution, and radiation among other environmental hazards. Open data from these technologies is used to provide citizens & civic watchdogs with actionable information on their cities & communities in the continent.

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Episode #6—Expert Knowledge in Documenting Human Rights Responsibly

Episode Insight

This episode explored the importance of human rights documentation and the role of professionals in this field. It highlighted potential issues that can arise when human rights topics are not handled by professionals, such as sensationalization of stories, misrepresentation of communities, re-traumatization of survivors, and violation of confidentiality. It also discussed the impact of Wikimedia and open knowledge initiatives on human rights documentation and the importance of empathy, humility, and critical thinking for documentarians working in human rights, emphasizing the need to prioritize people's lives over data and maintain cultural sensitivity.

Guest

Beatrice Waruinge is a humanitarian and human rights proponent committed to Pan-African ideals and refugee welfare. With a background in community development and international relations, she previously supported refugee case management and human rights advocacy at Amnesty International Kenya. As Operations Coordinator of the “Under Our Skin International Film Festival on Human Rights,” she uses film to drive dialogue on social justice. Currently serving as Program Officer at Selam through Connect for Culture Africa, she champions sustainable public funding for Africa’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). Ms.Waruinge believes CCIs are key to driving social transformation, economic inclusion, and community resilience.

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Episode #7—The Impact of Internet Access on Women’s Rights in Africa

Episode Insight

The episode explores women’s marginalisation and underrepresentation in digital spaces. It examines how online abuse—like cyberstalking and doxxing discourages women’s internet participation and how digital poverty and internet shutdowns affect women in Africa. It also discusses the need for gender-sensitive training for women, awareness programs for men and boys, and inclusive digital safety frameworks to promote equality, online freedom, and economic stability across Africa.

Guest

Sandra Aceng

Sandra Aceng is the Executive Director of the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), where she advances gender-responsive digital rights and ICT policy. A researcher, policy analyst and Wikimedian, she leads data-justice work in Uganda and advocates on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and freedom of expression. Recognitions include DefendDefenders’ Human Rights Defender of the Month (Feb 2021) and fellowships with GNI/Internews and OPTIMA.

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Episode #8 Featured Story

Episode Insight

In this episode explore the story of a visual storyteller from Nigeria, whose photography journey began at the age of 12.

Saalih, shares the bold motivation behind entering Wiki Loves Africa 2024 contest and becoming a two times winner of the Wiki Loves Africa Narrative Video Category. This episode also went into what it means to create while wearing the niqab, the stereotypes she has faced, the moments her skills were questioned, and the calm strength she uses to correct misconceptions while still protecting her identity and artistry.

Recorded audio file of AWW Voices Podcast Episode 9

Guest

Saalih Eeman Oyiza is a geography student and climate change advocate with strong interests in GIS, environmental studies, and technology. She combines her academic background with skills .Beyond her technical pursuits, she is a creative with passion for photography, animation, filmmaking, and design.

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Episode #9 African Women and Wikipedia @25

Episode Insight

This episode brings together five African women from Egypt, Uganda, Botswana, Nigeria, and Ghana to share how Wikipedia has shaped their personal and professional growth and how they, in turn, are giving back to their communities.

Audio file of Wikipedia @25 AWW Voices Podcast Production

Guest

Juliet Acom
Menna Khaled
Lotato Kopolo
Maureen LD Owusu-Addae
Fatimah Bello Oyenihun

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Episode #10 Showing up When Life is Full

Showing Up When Life Is Full

Episode Insight

This episode delves into the quiet tension many African women face while trying to stay active in the Wikimedia movement balancing full-time jobs, family responsibilities, motherhood, and personal goals. It speaks to the weight of wanting to contribute, but constantly battling limited time, exhaustion, and competing priorities. Through honest reflection, we unpack how difficult it can be to show up consistently as a volunteer, and why that struggle is valid. This conversation doesn’t offer pressure, it offers permission: to slow down, to be honest about capacity, and to find meaningful ways to stay connected to Wikimedia without losing oneself in the process.

Guest

Rebecca Jeannette

Rebecca Jeannette Nyinawumuntu is a co-founder of Wikimedia Rwanda. community leader and environmental advocate, Founder of Ecomappers/OSM Rwanda, Managing Director of CX Touchpoints Rwanda, and She works at the intersection of geospatial technologies, open knowledge, women’s inclusion, and community empowerment. Rebecca leads initiatives in climate action, disaster resilience, digital inclusion, and capacity building across Rwanda. Beyond her professional roles, she is a mother, a mentor, and a committed community builder dedicated to advancing development and open knowledge in Africa.

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