This report presents key findings from the Africa Wiki Women (AWW) Technical Research, which involved regional conversations, focus group discussions, and the mapping of women-focused Wikimedia initiatives across Africa.

The research examined the significant underrepresentation of African women in Wikimedia projects, both as editors and leaders.

It explored several critical areas, including:

Challenges preventing African women from actively contributing and taking up leadership roles in Wikimedia movements.
The level of African women's participation in Wikimedia projects and community activities.
Strategies to boost African women's contributions and address gender gaps in leadership and participation.
Solutions to reshape narratives around representation gaps and barriers.
Programs and activities that have proven effective in increasing African women's participation in content creation and leadership.

The study identified several key barriers, including resource limitations, cultural norms that restrict women’s roles, misconceptions about Wikimedia projects, and a lack of mentorship and leadership opportunities. These challenges are further compounded by technical gaps and logistical hurdles, such as limited digital access, time constraints due to work and family responsibilities, and insufficient support for organizing Wikimedia events.

Building on these insights, the research also gathered practical recommendations and strategies to foster a more inclusive Wikimedia ecosystem—one that empowers African women to become leaders and active contributors beyond their participation in annual Wiki campaigns.

Research Methodology

This research employed a mixed-method research design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to obtain comprehensive insights. This approach facilitated the inclusion of diverse perspectives and ensured a rigorous analysis of the subject matter.

The structured survey was open for the voluntary participation of participants, allowing them to contribute their experiences and knowledge. Additionally, focused group discussions were conducted exclusively with women from various countries, providing a platform for in-depth dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving. The research further involved two regional conversations conducted in both French and English, ensuring linguistic inclusivity.

The survey was administered in both languages to enhance accessibility and participation. Moreover, a gender campaign mapping exercise was undertaken to examine gender-related initiatives across the region, offering a structured understanding of ongoing efforts and gaps in the field.

The methodological framework also included structured focus group discussions, delineating key stages of preparation, execution, and analysis. These systematic procedures enhance the study’s transparency and contribute to the foundation for future research in this domain.

Regional Conversations & Focus Group Discussion

The Africa WikiWomen Technical Research conducted regional conversations in both the Anglophone and Francophone regions on December 20, 2024.

The Anglophone session included 77 participants, while the Francophone session had 86 participants from diverse African regions. Building on these conversations, focus group discussions were held in January 2025 to gather in-depth insights.

The Francophone focus group took place from January 10th–17th, 2025, with 12 participants, and the Anglophone focus group ran from January 17th–30th, 2025, with 11 participants. These sessions were designed to be both critical and empowering, setting clear expectations while fostering a comfortable, open environment for sharing insights and co-developing sustainable strategies.

The sessions were conducted via Zoom, supported by presentation tools and real-time transcription services, and brought together gender advocates from countries such as Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinée Conakry, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Selected for their active engagement and leadership in Wikimedia activities, these participants provided valuable perspectives from their work with women in their communities, all while upholding strict standards of privacy and confidentiality.

Data collection was meticulously carried out using a Google survey to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities for African women in Wikimedia, and the qualitative data was analyzed with Taguette, supplemented by descriptive analysis and visualizations on spreadsheets, charts, and infographics.

Quantitative Data Results

1.0 Introduction

This report analyses the key findings from the Africa Wiki Women (AWW) Technical Research, focusing on the barriers to women's participation, the effectiveness of current efforts, and potential sustainability models. The interpretation is informed by survey responses and visual data representation. Following critical analysis, the informed findings were used to address key questions and activities supporting research goals.

2.0 Results and Analysis

Participants Gender Distribution

The Africa Wiki Women (AWW) survey had a total of 169 respondents. Figure 1 reveals the distribution of survey participants based on gender. The result shows that more females (~65%) participated in the survey than males (~34%). Further analysis shows that only one participant preferred not to say his/her gender. The implication of this is that subsequent analysis focuses on male and female dynamics. Further, gender dynamics is analysed based on the proportion of the corresponding gender as a result of an uneven participation rate between men and women in the survey.

Participants’ Age Distribution

Men's participation in the survey is higher in younger age groups, with 50% in the 26–33 range, while women's participation in the survey is more evenly distributed across ages. Women are more engaged in older age groups (34–42+), with 29% in 34–41 and 13% in 42+, compared to only 12% and 5% of men, respectively. This suggests that men engage more in early career stages, while women show greater long-term commitment. Strategies should focus on retaining younger men and providing leadership opportunities for older women to sustain any campaign participation.

Country of Participants

Further, the survey had 171 respondents from 54 African countries, reflecting a diverse range of participation across the continent. The distribution as shown in Figure 3 highlights key trends in engagement levels across different regions. Nigeria (58 participants, 34%) had the highest engagement, reflecting a strong Wikimedia presence. Ghana (18) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (16) also showed notable participation, likely due to active Wikimedia affiliates and digital literacy programs. Countries with 5–11 participants (e.g., Senegal, Togo, Botswana, Benin, Uganda) demonstrate moderate engagement, presenting opportunities for growth. Nations with fewer than 3 respondents (e.g., Kenya, Niger, Libya, Egypt) have minimal engagement, suggesting barriers like lack of awareness, digital divide, or cultural constraints. West and Central Africa dominate participation, while East Africa has moderate engagement, and North & Southern Africa remain underrepresented.

Participants’ Year of Involvement in Wikimedia

The experience level of Wikimedia contributors in the AWW campaign was established in terms of years of involvement in Wikimedia. The result as shown in Table 1 revealed that more than half of the participants have been in 1-3 years. This suggests that most female participants are relatively new to Wikimedia (less than three years), indicating a growing but still developing engagement among African women. The small percentage of long-term contributors suggests that retention is a challenge.

Table 1: Distribution of Respondents' Years of Involvement

Years of Involvement	Frequency	Percentage
1-3 years	88	52.1%
4-6 years	19	11.2%
Less than 1 year	53	31.4%
More than 6 years	9	5.3%
Total	169	100%

Roles of Participants in the Wikimedia Community

The findings indicate that while a significant proportion of women (65%) are active as editors, their participation is still lower than that of men (72%). However, women are more represented in affiliate roles (22% vs. 16%), suggesting a stronger focus on community-building and support rather than direct content creation. The nearly equal participation in organizer roles suggests that both genders contribute to event planning and coordination.

The data suggests that women are less active as editors compared to men, possibly due to barriers like limited mentorship, access to resources, or confidence issues. However, they have a stronger presence in affiliate roles, indicating a focus on community-building rather than direct content creation. Since editing experience often leads to leadership and technical roles, fewer women in editing may mean limited influence in decision-making. Encouraging more women to engage in editing while supporting their progression into leadership and technical roles can help achieve balanced representation and long-term impact in the Wikimedia movement.

Challenges in the Wikimedia Movement for Women Editor

Findings was made on key challenges women faces when participating in the Wikimedia movement as an editor. Higher proportion of women in the Wikimedia movement face significant barriers compared to men, with the most reported challenges being lack of awareness, mentorship, access to resources, and time constraints due to multiple responsibilities. Limited digital skills, leadership opportunities, and recognition further hinder their participation. Gender bias, lack of confidence, and societal expectations also contribute to lower engagement. Addressing these challenges requires mentorship, training, leadership development, and targeted outreach to improve women's participation and retention.

Qualitative findings from the focused group discussions and regional meeting also highlighted similar barriers women face in the Wikimedia movement, including limited resources, lack of mentorship, and time constraints. While qualitative data provides deeper insights into social and cultural norms restricting participation, quantitative results confirm that a higher proportion of women experience these challenges of which both male and female respondents attested to this in the survey. Gender bias, confidence gaps, and digital skill limitations further hinder engagement. Addressing these barriers requires targeted interventions such as mentorship, leadership training, and digital literacy programs to enhance women's participation and retention.

Wikimedia Community Support for Editor

Participants were asked if they feel supported as an editor in their Wikimedia Community. Based on results established in Figure 6, Women feel less supported in the Wikimedia community than men, with only 50% of women reporting positive support compared to 66% of men. A higher proportion of women also feel unsupported (14%) or neutral (13%) compared to men (10% and 2%, respectively), highlighting barriers such as gender bias, lack of mentorship, and limited leadership opportunities.

Qualitative insights from focus group discussions suggest solutions to bridge this gap, including policies that promote women’s leadership, childcare support, targeted training, and dedicated collaboration spaces. Women also emphasized the need for mentorship programs, regional Wiki Women ambassadors, and partnerships with tech organizations to enhance digital skills. Encouraging women to take ownership of campaigns and leadership roles was seen as key to boosting confidence and retention. These findings reinforce the need for structured interventions to create a more inclusive and supportive Wikimedia community for women editors.

Women-Focused Campaigns Participation

Figure 7 illustrates the distribution of participants based on their involvement in women-focused campaigns within the Wikimedia Movement. The results reveal a disparity, with fewer women (60.9%) having participated in such campaigns compared to men (79.3%). This lower participation among women suggests the presence of underlying barriers that limit their engagement.

Qualitative insights align with this finding, as discussions from the focus groups highlight several challenges that hinder women's participation. Many women expressed a lack of awareness about existing campaigns, limited access to necessary resources, and competing responsibilities that make active involvement difficult. Additionally, societal and cultural norms, along with gender biases, were identified as deterrents to engagement. These insights reinforce the need for more targeted outreach, awareness-building, and support structures to encourage greater participation of women in Wikimedia’s gender-focused initiatives.

Level of Participation in the Women Focused campaign

Followup was done for participants that were sure of participation in any-women focus campaign based on which level they participated in the campaign/event. As shown in Figure 8, local engagement is the highest proportion for both genders (69% and 68% for men and women respectively) with approximately equal participation. While women have stronger regional involvement than men, international participation for men (18%) is higher than women (12%) . Although these trends highlight the importance of grassroots initiatives and regional networks in sustaining women's participation, the international networks seem to encourage more men participation than women.

Wikimedia Project

Women are more engaged in visual and literary projects, such as Wikiquote (42.7% of women vs. 32.8% of men) and Wikimedia Commons (73.6% of women vs. 65.5% of men). In contrast, men dominate technical and data-driven platforms like Wikidata, where 75.9% of men participate compared to 65.5% of women. While Wikipedia remains the most widely used platform for both genders, women are less involved in structured data and tech-focused projects. Bridging this gap requires targeted training and mentorship to increase women's participation in technical Wikimedia contributions.

Language Contribution on Wikimedia Project

Further, participants were asked what language they contributed to on the wikimedia project. Languages were categorised as shown in Figure 10. It revealed that women (54.5%) contribute more than men (43.1%) in foreign languages while a higher proportion of men (44.8%) contribute a mix of foreign and African languages as well as African language-only than women(36.4%). Further, contributions remain low for both genders in terms of African language-only thus 8.2% and 12.1% women and men. This highlights the need for initiatives to promote African language content and preserve indigenous knowledge.

Areas of Support Beneficial to Increase Women’s Participation

Participants were asked what areas of support they think would be most beneficial to increase women’s participation in Wikimedia. Figure 11 below shows the comparison of responses based on proportion of each gender. Women prioritize technical skills training (81.8%), mentorship (71.8%), and funding for projects (68.2%) as the most beneficial support areas for increasing participation in Wikimedia. They also value networking opportunities (66.4%) more than men, while leadership development (60.0%) and organizational skills (39.1%) remain important but lower priorities. In summary, capacity-building, financial support, and mentorship programs are key to boosting women's engagement and leadership in Wikimedia, all of which align with the qualitative insights from the focus group discussion. Participants emphasized the importance of sustained mentorship and peer support networks to ensure long-term engagement. Beyond project funding, financial barriers such as internet access and the availability of digital devices were identified as critical challenges that limit women's participation. Additionally, leadership development should not only focus on skills training but also on increasing women’s representation in decision-making spaces. These insights suggest that AWW should tailor support mechanisms to address both practical and structural barriers, ensuring a more inclusive and empowering environment for African women in Wikimedia.

Effectiveness of Current Effort in Empowering African Women within the Wikimedia Movement

Findings were made on how effective participants think current efforts are in empowering African women within the Wikimedia movement. Based on analysis as revealed in Figure 12, Women are less convinced of Wikimedia’s empowerment efforts than men, with 35% neutral compared to 16% of men and only 25% of women rating them very effective (vs. 41% of men). While most find efforts somewhat or very effective, women’s higher neutrality suggests they may not feel direct benefits. Enhancing mentorship, leadership pathways, and resource access could improve impact and perception among women.

Findings from qualitative discussions further reinforce these insights, highlighting that while existing initiatives have made progress, gaps remain in effectively addressing gender-specific challenges. Women emphasized the need for targeted support, such as mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities, and improved access to resources like internet and technology. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of nurturing women-led initiatives, establishing regional Wiki Women ambassadors, and creating safe, collaborative spaces. These suggestions align with the survey data, indicating that without sustained and strategic interventions, many women may continue to feel disconnected from Wikimedia’s empowerment efforts.

Gaps in Empowering African Women in the Wikimedia Movement

Participants were encouraged to identify gaps they feel exist in empowering African women in the Wikimedia movement that should be addressed. Several responses were made and the qualitative analysis shows that women’s participation in Wikimedia is hindered by both external and non-external factors as enlisted in Figure 8. External barriers, such as limited internet access, lack of digital literacy, inadequate devices, and poor infrastructure, restrict engagement due to systemic and technological constraints. Meanwhile, non-external factors, including traditional gender roles, lack of awareness, gender bias, safety concerns, and limited leadership opportunities, stem from societal and cultural norms. Majority of participants feel addressing these challenges requires a dual approach—investing in technology and infrastructure while simultaneously promoting awareness, mentorship, and leadership development to create a more inclusive environment.

Focus group discussions reinforced these findings, revealing that many African women face systemic barriers that go beyond infrastructure limitations. Participants shared personal experiences of how societal expectations, such as family responsibilities and cultural norms, often prevent women from actively engaging in Wikimedia activities. Many also expressed frustration over the lack of visibility and recognition of women's contributions, which discourages sustained participation. Additionally, safety concerns, particularly around online harassment and gender biases within

Supported Focus Areas for Africa Wiki Women

Participants highlighted a diverse range of focus areas for Africa Wiki Women’s future activities, emphasizing empowerment, skills development, and advocacy. Women's empowerment and leadership emerged as a key priority, along with entrepreneurship and business, reflecting the need for economic independence. Many respondents emphasized the importance of STEM and technology, advocating for greater female representation in digital spaces.

Culture and arts were also highlighted, underscoring the need to preserve African heritage, while education and mentorship were seen as essential for sustaining women's participation. Gender rights and advocacy remain crucial to addressing systemic inequalities, and health and well-being was recognised as a vital area affecting women’s engagement.

Additionally, climate change and environmental issues were identified as pressing concerns, alongside Wikimedia skills and digital content development, which are essential for improving contributions. Lastly, campaigns and community engagement were seen as critical for raising awareness and increasing participation across regions. These focus areas indicate a holistic approach to empowering women through leadership, education, digital skills, and social advocacy.

Analysis of Suggestions and Recommendations

Participants were further provided with a range of likert questions where they express their level of agreement or disagreement to identified recommendations. The responses were compared using barchart between male and female (See Appendix). The responses were recomputed on the basis of assigned code. Mean scores for each item were computed and plotted using a radar chart.

Radar chart in Figure 15 was based on how African women’s voices be better represented. Women rate all strategies for amplifying representation higher than men, emphasizing a greater perceived need for these initiatives. The most supported strategy among women (4.01) is developing technical tools to address content gaps, while collaborations with media, gender organizations, and Wikimedia affiliates are also highly rated (3.92–3.94). Men rate these strategies lower (3.48–3.64), indicating less urgency from their perspective. The reviewers' hub received the lowest female rating (3.67), suggesting a preference for content creation and technological solutions over review-focused initiatives. In summary, AWW should prioritize tools, media partnerships, and gender-focused collaborations to align with women's needs.

Qualitative insights confirm the quantitative findings that women perceive a greater need for initiatives to amplify their representation in Wikimedia. Many participants emphasized the importance of developing technical tools to close content gaps and strengthening collaborations with media, gender-focused organizations, and Wikimedia affiliates. Additionally, discussions revealed that women feel underrepresented in decision-making and content creation, preferring direct contribution opportunities over review-based approaches. These insights suggest that AWW should prioritize technological solutions, strategic partnerships, and leadership pathways to better align with women's needs and enhance their participation.

The Figure 16 radar chart on Sustainability and Organization Models highlights gender differences in support for various initiatives within Africa Wiki Women. Women consistently rate all initiatives higher than men, with scores ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, compared to men’s 3.2 to 3.5, indicating that women perceive these structures as more essential for their participation and success.

The most supported initiatives among women include mentorship networks, safe spaces, and annual community evaluation, reflecting their importance in fostering engagement. Conversely, men show lower support for initiatives like Wikimedia collaborations and recognition programs, suggesting a difference in perceived priorities. In summary, the gender gap in ratings suggests that women value structured support systems more than men, emphasizing the need for mentorship, community engagement, and safer spaces to sustain women's participation in Wikimedia.

3.0 Key Questions and Findings Supporting Africa Wiki Women Technical Research

What cultural, systemic, or organizational challenges hinder African women's participation and leadership in Wikimedia?

Cultural and societal barriers: Traditional gender roles limit women’s participation in digital spaces, prioritizing domestic responsibilities over online engagement.
Gender bias and underrepresentation: Women's contributions are undervalued, and leadership opportunities remain limited.
Lack of awareness: Many women are unaware of Wikimedia opportunities, reducing participation.
Limited mentorship and support: Women struggle to find guidance and structured support networks within Wikimedia.

Which external factors (e.g., technology access, societal roles) play a role?

Technology access and digital divide: Limited access to internet connectivity, digital devices, and reliable electricity restricts women’s involvement, particularly in rural areas.
Lack of digital literacy: Many women lack the technical skills necessary to engage fully in Wikimedia projects.
Financial constraints: The cost of internet access and data remains a significant barrier.

Are there women-led or women-focused initiatives that have addressed similar challenges?

The "She Said Campaign 2023" had the highest participation, showing that thematic and structured initiatives attract engagement.
Mentorship and leadership programs within AWW have helped improve retention but require further expansion.

What best practices and lessons can we replicate or adapt?

Combining campaigns with mentorship programs increases participation.
Structured leadership development nurture long-term engagement.
Providing digital skills training and financial support helps overcome access barriers.

How have previous Africa Wiki Women campaigns impacted women's engagement and leadership?

Women actively participate in Wikimedia projects, but engagement remains mostly at the editing level, with fewer women advancing into leadership roles.
Campaigns like "She Said" and mentorship programs have improved engagement but need better leadership pathways for women.

What gaps remain, and how can they be addressed?

Lack of technical training and leadership representation: More structured mentorship and leadership development programs are needed.
Limited access to resources: Providing financial support and digital devices can help bridge the gap.
Community networking and recognition: Women seek more visibility and collaborative spaces to support their growth.

What content and contributor strategies can ensure African women’s voices are effectively represented in Wikimedia projects?

Collaboration with regional gender-focused organizations to address content gaps related to African women.
Developing technical tools to help contributors identify and fill gender-related knowledge gaps.
Curating a centralized African women’s resource library to aid editors and researchers in content creation.
Facilitating a reviewers' hub to improve the coverage of women-related articles on Wikimedia.

What governance models and organizational processes will ensure the longevity and success of Africa Wiki Women?

Mentorship networks, safe spaces, and annual events are the most critical initiatives to sustain participation.
Structured leadership development will help women transition from editors to organizers and decision-makers.
Collaboration with Wikimedia affiliates increases the visibility of women-focused efforts.

How can we foster collaborative networks among women contributors across Africa?

Networking opportunities are a top priority for women, emphasizing the need for regional and cross-country partnerships.
Providing digital tools and financial support helps women overcome economic and technical barriers to participation.
Targeted awareness campaigns will increase representation in underrepresented regions like North and Southern Africa.

Conclusion

Africa Wiki Women’s impact can be strengthened by expanding mentorship and leadership programs, increasing awareness, improving access to resources, and furthering stronger regional collaborations. Addressing both technological and social barriers is essential to increasing participation and ensuring sustainability in the movement.

Africa Wiki Women Technical Research/Report