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Why Should You Participate?
For decades, African women have made significant contributions to society in various fields, including politics, science, arts, and social activism. However, their stories often remain untold or underrepresented in mainstream media and digital platforms. On Wikipedia, the world’s largest open-source encyclopedia, the gender content gap is evident—only about 19% of biographies on the platform are about women, and the percentage is even lower for African women. This lack of representation limits the visibility of their achievements and, in turn, impacts historical narratives and role modeling for future generations.
To address this gap, Open Foundation West Africa (OFWA) launched the Shine Her Light Campaign in 2024, an initiative dedicated to amplifying the voices of African women by increasing their presence on Wikipedia. The campaign creates opportunities for volunteers, writers, and researchers to document the achievements of notable African women and ensure their stories are preserved for generations.
If you are passionate about gender equity and want to be part of this movement, here’s how you can participate: