2025:Program/"From Learners to Leaders: Empowering Girls with Digital Skills for a More Inclusive Wikimedia Future"
Session title: "From Learners to Leaders: Empowering Girls with Digital Skills for a More Inclusive Wikimedia Future"
- Session type: Lightning talk
- Track: Lightning Talk Showcase
- Language: en
Investing in girls' digital skills is key to shaping the future of open knowledge. Early exposure to Wikipedia and its sister projects not only builds confidence but equips them with the tools to contribute meaningfully to the digital world. This session explores how Wikimedia can be a transformative platform for helping girls move from learners to leaders, developing critical thinking, research, and content creation skills. Through the lens of Diversity & Inclusion, we will highlight how bridging the gender gap in digital spaces strengthens the Wikimedia movement. Additionally, by focusing on Education, we will explore strategies for integrating digital skills training into learning environments, empowering girls to actively participate in knowledge-sharing from an early stage. Join us as we discuss sustainable strategies to nurture the next generation of digital contributors, foster inclusivity, and build a more diverse and equitable Wikimedia future.
Description
This session will explore how Diversity & Inclusion plays a central role in breaking barriers for young girls in digital knowledge spaces. By integrating Education as a key pillar, we will discuss practical strategies to incorporate Wikimedia projects into learning environments, empowering girls to develop research, critical thinking, and content creation skills from an early stage. Through a combination of real-life case studies, interactive discussions, and practical demonstrations, we will showcase successful initiatives that have introduced digital literacy training to girls, equipping them with the tools to navigate and shape online knowledge spaces. The session will also address the role of mentorship, community support, and partnerships in sustaining these efforts and ensuring long-term impact. Aims & Objectives:
Highlight the intersection of Diversity & Inclusion and Education in advancing digital skills for girls. Showcase successful initiatives and best practices that have empowered young girls through Wikimedia projects. Demonstrate how Wikipedia and its sister projects serve as powerful tools for building digital competencies. Encourage Wikimedia communities and educators to integrate digital skills training for girls into their outreach programs. Foster discussions on sustainability, mentorship, and inclusion to ensure long-term impact.
- How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?
This session directly aligns with Wikimania@20’s theme by addressing three key pillars:
Inclusivity: Digital spaces should be accessible to everyone, yet gender and knowledge gaps persist. This session highlights how investing in digital skills for girls ensures that more diverse voices contribute to Wikimedia projects, fostering a more inclusive knowledge ecosystem.
Impact: By equipping young girls with research, content creation, and digital literacy skills, we create a long-term impact on the Wikimedia movement. Early exposure to Wikimedia platforms helps girls transition from learners to leaders, strengthening diverse participation and engagement.
Sustainability: The session explores scalable and replicable strategies for mentoring and training young contributors. Through partnerships, community-driven initiatives, and structured learning programs, we aim to ensure sustained participation and leadership of women and girls in Wikimedia for years to come.
This session embodies the vision of a Wikimedia movement that is accessible to all, fosters collaboration across diverse communities, and prioritizes long-term viability.
- What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?
Everyone can participate in this session
Resources
Speakers
- SAgbley
- Stella Sessy Agbley is a dedicated advocate for digital inclusion, community engagement, and knowledge equity within the Wikimedia movement. With over a decade of experience, I am the co-lead of the Wiki Hour Initiative, a coordinator for Feminism and Folklore, and a community board member for the Wikimedia Ghana User Group. For three years, I was the coordinator for the Wiki Women’s User Group. My work focuses on equipping girls, women, and the hearing-impaired community with digital skills to confidently engage with Wikipedia and its sister projects. Through capacity building, mentorship, and outreach, I promote cultural representation, gender equity, and inclusive participation in open knowledge.
- joyag
- I’m a Ghanaian female editor with over 9 years experience on diverse Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, WikiData, Wikicommons and translate wiki platforms amongst others. I have a wealth of experience per my previous role with AFFCOM and Regional Grants Committee. Over the past 5 years, I have been a Co- Lead and Project Manager for Wiki Hour Initiative where our passion is to drive connections between people with disabilities, specifically hearing impaired, empower young girls, and address sustainable topics on Wikimedia eco spaces.