Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda/Art and Feminism 2024

Art and Feminism 2024 project is an empowering and inclusive initiative that seeks to bridge the gender gap on Wikimedia platforms, with a specific focus on the representation of women in the arts. By harnessing the collaborative power of the global Wikimedia community, we aim to rectify gender imbalances in content and contributors.

The project represents our commitment to gender equity, diversity, and the creation of a more inclusive and representative body of knowledge on Wikimedia platforms. We eagerly anticipate the collaboration and contributions of individuals and organizations in furthering these important goals.

The Art and Feminism write-shop is a platform to celebrate women's remarkable achievements, contributions, and resilience in the art industry. This will be preceded by country wide story telling competition where participants will showcase their creativity to challenge stereotypes, amplify voices, and drive meaningful change.

Project Goals

1. Promote Gender Equity: To increase the visibility and representation of women artists, art movements, and feminist perspectives on Wikimedia platforms.
2. Empower Women Editors: To empower women and gender-diverse individuals to become active contributors and leaders in the Wikimedia community.
3. Enhance Content Quality: To improve the quality and depth of content related to women in the arts, feminism, and related topics.

Project Objectives

1. Wikipedia Edit-a-Thons: Organize edit-a-thons to create and improve articles related to women artists, feminist movements, and art history.
2. Workshops and Training: Offer training sessions to newcomers, especially women and gender-diverse participants, to build their editing skills and confidence.
3. Art and Feminism Resources: Develop resources and guidelines to support the creation and improvement of content about women in the arts and feminism.
4. Community Building: Foster a supportive and diverse community of editors who collaborate on gender-related content

Planned Activities

1. Local Workshops: Host local workshops in collaboration with art institutions, universities, and women's organizations to engage a broad and diverse audience.
2. Online Webinars: Conduct webinars on topics like art history, feminism, and Wikipedia editing to reach a wider online audience.
3. Resource Creation: Develop and distribute blogs which highlights important aspects such as lists of notable women artists and feminist leaders in Uganda.
4. Art and Feminism Showcase: Curate an online showcase of artwork created by women and gender-diverse artists, ensuring their visibility on Wikimedia Commons.

Why Are We Doing This Project

• Gender bias is a significant issue on Wikimedia platforms, impacting the representation of women's achievements and perspectives. This project aims to address this bias by encouraging the creation and improvement of content related to women in the arts and feminism.
• We believe that diverse voices and perspectives are essential to the creation of a more comprehensive and accurate body of knowledge. By empowering women and gender-diverse individuals to contribute, we enrich Wikimedia projects and enhance their credibility.

Partners and Organizers

1. Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda
2. Whose Knowledge
3. UMWA
4. Akina Maama Wa Africa
5. POLLICY
6. Makerere University

Event Participation

As we come together to honour their invaluable impact, we also aim to use this forum to foster dialogue, empower aspiring professionals, and inspire positive change and contributions for women artists within the Wikimedia landscape.

The gathering will feature engaging panel discussions, an insightful guide to participating in the Wikimedia Foundation, and networking opportunities, providing attendees with a unique forum to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies to advance gender equality and representation in artistry.

Furthermore, there will be an Awards ceremony to recognize and applaud outstanding individuals (competition winners) who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and innovation in promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion using Artistry.

Event Program

Date : 18th May 2024

Venue : Hive Colab, Kanjokya Street, Plot 90- Kampala Uganda