PhilWiki Community/WikiGap Campaign Philippines 2024/WikiProyekto Kababaihan
PhilWiki Community Holds a Meet-up to Advocate Women Empowerment
[edit]The Philippine Wikimedia Community Inc. hosted an intimate Wiki Women Meet-up to encourage participation of women from their respective fields.
Diversity program committee chair Glenda Perico-Brioso, a senior high school teacher at Camarines Sur National High School, organized the event in support of Wikimedia movement’s advocacy to promote inclusivity and improve the representation of women across Wikimedia projects.
The meet-and-greet event attended by youth and women sectoral leaders, young professionals, and mothers including 2 grandmothers, was held on November 25 at Tugawe Cove Café and Savage Mind: The Creative Heart of Bikol in Naga City during the nationwide kickoff of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
PhilWiki Community president Maffeth Opiana-Sto. Tomas shared her recent participation at WikiWomenCamp held in New Delhi, India where over 100 women from diverse backgrounds and expertise discussed experiences and planned on how they can reduce the gender gap on the internet and in the Wikimedia movement.
The attendees shared their insights about possible activities they can conduct in the future and the strategies on how more women participate. Sheena Aiza Bagachina, a senior high teacher from CSNHS, articulated that Wiki Wowen can provide a supportive community for personal and professional growth and that she sees a great future for the advocacy.
“Looking forward to the next event,” she said.
Amparo Vergara, a participant from the women sector of the Naga City People’s Council, expressed her appreciation to the group.
“I enjoy this [kind of] event. I’m proud to join this group. More knowledge about the current events and herstory,” according to the Naga City Urban Poor Federation vice president.
Ellen Nicole Vergara, the current Naga City Youth Mayor, suggested possible activities in the future.
She wrote, “Capacity training (Wiki-related), collaboration and partnership with other organizations with the same advocacy, and more activities promoting holistic development.”
Two participants took home a trendy tote bag from the raffle as part of the event. In the next 18 days, the attendees will be creating and improving women biographies on Wikipedia, in which most of the articles were written by men, about other men, and consumed by men.
Every year during the International Women's Month, PhilWiki Community joins the global WikiGap campaign. It also welcomes interested individuals, participants and volunteers in facilitating its various activities fostering camaraderie and collaboration.