Author name: w4safrica

Women for Sustainability Africa joined Wiki Women in Red @8 _ Empowering Women with Digital Skills through Wikipedia—Part 1

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In a world where women’s voices are crucial for creating a more inclusive and sustainable future, prioritizing women’s participation in the tech space is essential. Empowering women with the tools, skills, and support they need to engage actively is imperative. This responsibility extends to the Wikimedia ecosystem, including Wikipedia and its sibling projects. Currently, only 9% of Wikipedia editors are women, highlighting a significant gender gap that impacts the diversity of information available on Wikimedia platforms. The systemic gender bias is evident, with fewer than one in five biographies featuring women. Additionally, only 20% of articles about women include photos.

As part of the Wiki Women in Red @8 campaign in 2023, we collaborated with various organizations, such as the University of Professional Studies Office of the Women’s Commissioner and the former Women’s Commissioner for the University of Ghana to conduct a series of workshops and trainings. These workshops educated and empowered women especially with Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons skills. We hosted 2 in-person events and 4 virtual training and office hour sessions. Here are some highlights:

Workshop 1

The first workshop was hosted for women from the Women for Sustainability Africa Community. We hosted a five-hour bootcamp workshop for our community and was attended by 20 participants, of which 18 were women. The training focused on Wikipedia editing, Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata. The majority of the participants were newbies whom we guided on how to make edits to existing Wikipedia articles and also showed them how to upload photos on Wikimedia Commons as well as create article on Wikidata.

Workshop 2 with University of Professional Studies SRC Women’s Commission

The second training was held in collaboration with the SRC office of the Women’s Commission on Sat 1st Dec 2023 which trained about 34 students 20 of which were women.  The training was very interactive, as students ask a lot of questions. Awards were given to participants who were able to contribute example create Wikidata items, upload an image or edit and existing wikipedia article. Students were eager and almost all of them had something to go home with which was really fulfilling.

Link to Video Testimonials of participants after the event – https://youtu.be/K4_BQPGTgKw

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Women For Sustainability Africa(W4SAfrica) Inspires C3SS Students To Promote Climate Change Information On Wikipedia

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Did you know that Wikipedia is one of the top 10 websites? By contributing information on climate change to Wikipedia, you’re reaching a worldwide audience, ensuring that crucial insights and knowledge are at the fingertips of people across the globe.

One of W4SAfrica’s digital skills initiative aims at empowering the youth and women with digital skills like wikipedia to promote sustainability. Their recent collaboration with the Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies (C3SS) at the University of Ghana engaged and empowered students on Wikipedia.

The students enthusiastically delved into exploring Wikipedia’s extensive knowledge base, discovering how to effectively use the platform to document information on climate change and sustainability specific to their region.

This workshop captivating experience not only introduced the students to a vast ocean of information but also instilled in them the importance of collaborative knowledge sharing.

The W4SAfrica team started the Wikipedia introduction session by highlighting the knowledge gap that exists on Wikipedia in relation to information from Africa and emphasizing on the need to address these knowledge gaps to ensure that many people have easy access to content about Africa especially in relation to climate change.

They highlighted that only 5% of articles that exist on English Wikipedia are about Africa, according to them even the city of Paris has more written about it on Wikipedia than Africa. They highlighted the fact that the lack of awareness and skills amongst other factors could be a contributing factor.

They also emphasized that anyone can and is welcome to contribute and edit articles on Wikipedia. To ensure that the students had a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate Wikipedia, the W4SAfrica team guided them through the platform’s interface and features.

Some of the exercises the students were taken through includes creation of a Wikipedia account, adding sections and references to existing Wikipedia pages and showing them that their knowledge and voices matter.

From account creation, representing the global nature of Wikipedia, to the search bar, students were introduced to every element necessary to kickstart their exploration. Thanks to Dr. Yaw Agyeman Boafo and faculty for making this collaboration a success.

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What W4S Is All About

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Checkout What Women For Sustainability Africa Is All About

By 24NEWS Ghana,

Discover how Women for Sustainability Africa is working towards empowering women and driving sustainable development in Africa. Learn about their initiatives, impact, and the steps needed to ensure a thriving and equitable future for all.

Checkout What Women For Sustainability Is All About

In a world where sustainability and gender equality are of utmost importance, organizations like Women for Sustainability Africa (W4SAfrica) play a crucial role in driving positive change.

With a focus on empowering women and promoting sustainable development in Africa, W4SAfrica is taking significant strides towards building a thriving and equitable future for all.

In this article, we will dive into the impactful initiatives undertaken by W4SAfrica while exploring the steps needed to achieve long-lasting sustainability in Africa.

Empowering Women

We talk about increasing women’s participation in decision-making, and the first step to do that should be to ensure that they are present.” Emelda Adam, Tanzania

In the dynamic landscape of Africa, where challenges and opportunities coexist, one organisation stands out in its commitment to driving positive change through the power of women.

“Women for Sustainability Africa, established in 2022, is a non-profit organization focused on advancing environmental sustainability, empowering women, and driving research in these essential areas. Our mission is to support and elevate African women as leaders in building a resilient, sustainable, and just future. We envision a continent where women are pivotal in creating impactful solutions for environmental, economic, and social well-being across Africa..

With a vision of a future that is environmentally resilient, economically prosperous, and socially just, W for Sustainability Africa is making a lasting impact through its various programs and initiatives.

Mission And Values:

At the core of Women for Sustainability Africa’s mission is the belief that women play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Africa.

Embodying the sentiment that ‘increasing women’s participation in decision-making starts with ensuring they are present, as eloquently stated by Emelda Adam from Tanzania, ‘Women for Sustainability Africa’ is dedicated to empowering women and mobilising their potential to create sustainable solutions.

The values of inclusivity, collaboration, empowerment, sustainability, and equality guide every aspect of their work. These principles not only shape the organization’s internal culture but also drive its external engagement with communities and stakeholders.

Programs and Initiatives

Women for Sustainability Africa has implemented a range of programs to further its mission and values, ensuring that women are actively involved in sustainability efforts. Some of the key initiatives include:

Women In Sustainability Stories:

Through this program, Women for Sustainability Africa creates that platform to give women a voice, highlight and celebrate the stories of women who have become champions of sustainability, especially environmental sustainability.

These stories showcase not only their achievements but also the challenges they have overcome, inspiring others to follow suit. We aim at promoting sustainable practices, inspiring positive actions, and encouraging continuous learning in the field of sustainability. Recording can be found on Women for Sustainability Africa Youtube Channel.

Women Digital Skills Projects – #HerVoiceCampaign:

Recognizing the importance of digital skills in today’s world, this initiative focuses on equipping women with the necessary tools to empower them as well as amplify their voices in sustainability efforts through online platforms. We also believe that economically empowered women.

W4S Wiki Programs:

Embracing the power of information, W4S Wiki Programs focus on creating a knowledge repository that serves as a comprehensive resource for women involved in sustainability efforts. This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap and foster collaboration.

Empowering young girls, the Green Girls Ambassador program encourages environmental leadership among the youth. By instilling a sense of responsibility for the environment early on, W for Sustainability Africa aims to create a generation of environmentally conscious leaders.

School Sustainability Advocacy Campaigns:

Working at the grassroots level, this campaign involves schools and educational institutions in advocating for sustainability.

By integrating sustainable practices into the education system, Women for Sustainability Africa is laying the foundation for a future where sustainability is a core value.

Educational Programs For Girls In Underserved Communities:

Addressing the disparities in education, this program provides educational opportunities for girls in under served communities. By investing in education, W for Sustainability Africa ensures that all women have the chance to contribute to sustainable development.

From tree planting initiatives to waste reduction campaigns, Women for Sustainability Africa actively engages in environmental programs that promote sustainable practices and raise awareness about the importance of conservation.

Women In Sustainability Awards:

Recognizing outstanding contributions, the Women in Sustainability Awards celebrate women who have made significant impacts in various aspects of sustainability. These awards serve as both a recognition of achievements and an inspiration for others.

FAQs:

  1. What is the main goal of Women for Sustainability Africa?

The main goal is to empower women and drive sustainable development across Africa, ensuring a thriving and equitable future.

  1. How do I get involved with Women for Sustainability Africa?

You can get involved by volunteering, supporting their initiatives, or donating to their cause.

  1. Can men also be part of Women for Sustainability Africa?

While Women for Sustainability Africa primarily focuses on empowering women, men can play a supportive role in their initiatives by championing gender equality and supporting sustainable development efforts.

  1. Who is the Co-Founder for Women for Sustainability Africa?

Anita Ofori is the Co-Founder and the Executive Director for Women for Sustainability Africa. With a passion for sustainable development and a commitment to empowering women, she plays a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s mission and initiatives. As Co-Founder, Anita brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront, driving positive change and promoting sustainability across Africa.”

As Women for Sustainability Africa continues to make strides in empowering and mobilizing women, it not only contributes to the sustainability of the continent but also sets an example for the rest of the world.

By focusing on inclusivity, collaboration, empowerment, sustainability, and equality, this organization is paving the way for a future where African women are at the forefront of positive change, driving a sustainable and prosperous continent for generations to come.

Follow W4S Africa On Social Media

You want to become part of a vibrant group of enthusiastic women who are determined to make a difference and reshape the narrative. Together, we can create a positive impact,

To join the Women for Sustainability Africa WhatsApp group, please click on the following link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LMinBaoxvmk6cxDd9mFgJa

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HerVoice Campaign

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Maiden Edition of #HerVoice Campaign an Arts+Feminism launched

By Gloria Kafui Kuzo,

Women for sustainability Africa launched its maiden Edition of the #HerVoice Campaign an Arts+Feminism over the weekend at Elizas Resturant with the aim of empowering women from different field of works and establish the need for women to network with each other for sustainable growth.

Speakers for the event include Anita Ofori- Co founder of Women for Sustainability Africa, Maxwell Begamin- Climate Change and Young Green Entreprenuers Lead and Pamela Mantey- leadership pro.

Every lady left the meeting with the first skill of been a start lead on content on wikipedia with account created to fasten this initiative. With that said, according their area of interest , these young women will help develop content on sports, environmental stories, banking , personality profiles etc.

Of all the content on Wikipedia online only 2 percent is about Africa. Because we are not documenting. What is stopping us? We have to start now.

According to Maxwell Begamin, certain people have developed a mindest that ” Environmental sustainability is just for some people. Climate change has become the trend of now and its vulnerability affects all. Change in weather patterns, due to climate change is inevitable now . Its effects proceeds to the change of the ecosystems, which means there is going to be a lost of traditional pattern to the next generation. Example, speaking to your children about harmattan and they have no idea of what you are talking about” .

The Climate Guru explained that “Women are 14 times likely to die in a climate event- another scenario is cooking with fireword, diseases that come with the smoke that they inhale“.

As women, try to be abreast with findings in the society whether its rotates in your field or not. little of everything contributes a lot.

Women for sustainability Africa is focused on educational programs, research and  advocacy campaigns. the organization believes in  empowering women.  Most women do not have role model or mentors to help shape their lives in their way of profession with the necessary tools and equipment to build resilience vulnerability will be minimized. follow them on twitter @WOMEN FOR SUSTAINABILITY AFRICA

Women play a key role in sustainable development and withouth them its imposible at achieve it . This is to say if the women in the country decide not to work it will affect the economy drastically. Lets all help one way or the other to empower our sisters, daughters , wives and women in our work places to be the best of themselves.

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