2025:Program/Global Voices for Cultural and Gender Equity – Shaping the Future of Wiki Loves Folklore & Feminism and Folklore

Session title: Global Voices for Cultural and Gender Equity – Shaping the Future of Wiki Loves Folklore & Feminism and Folklore

Session type: Roundtable

Track: Wild Ideas

Language: en

This roundtable invites Wikimedians from across the globe to engage in an open dialogue on enhancing the impact of two international campaigns: Wiki Loves Folklore and Feminism and Folklore. #WeTogether, will exchange ideas, challenges, success stories, and innovative strategies to document cultural heritage and bridge the gender content gap on Wikimedia platforms. As we reflect on 20 years of the Wikimedia movement, this session is a collaborative space to co-create the future of inclusive, community-led campaigns.

Description

Wiki Loves Folklore and Feminism and Folklore have grown into global movements that document folklore, intangible heritage, and gender narratives through photo and writing competitions on Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia. With participation from over 70 countries, these campaigns thrive on diverse local contexts and volunteer energy.

This roundtable will bring together organizers, contributors, and interested Wikimedians to: Share community-based strategies for organizing folklore and gender campaigns Discuss localization techniques, tool usage (e.g., Article list generator, CampwizNxt), and storytelling formats Explore ways to improve participation, retention, and impact Address challenges like content notability, cultural sensitivity, and engagement fatigue Co-create ideas for future themes, partnerships, and sustainability

We welcome everyone—experienced organizers, newcomers, photographers, editors, and community leaders—to join this collaborative session.

How does your session relate to the event theme, Wikimania@20 – Inclusivity. Impact. Sustainability?

This session directly supports Wikimania@20’s vision of celebrating two decades of free knowledge through diversity, community innovation, and global participation. Both campaigns reflect the evolution of grassroots Wikimedia efforts into inclusive platforms that amplify marginalized voices, preserve local heritage, and promote gender equity. This roundtable invites the Wikimedia community to collectively shape the next chapter of this legacy.

What is the experience level needed for the audience for your session?

Everyone can participate in this session

Speakers

• gonsalvestiven

I am a long-time contributor to the Wikimedia movement, beginning with the Marathi Wikipedia, where I’ve served as an administrator, creating content, developing templates, and maintaining project quality. My journey has expanded globally through organizing and coordinating campaigns like Wikipedia Asian Month, Wiki Loves Folklore, and Feminism and Folklore, which celebrate cultural diversity and document intangible heritage.

As lead coordinator of Wiki Loves Folklore, I’ve helped grow the campaign into a vibrant global initiative, engaging thousands of contributors across communities. I also contribute to Wikimedia Commons in areas like image categorization, licensing, and translation tools, and have previously served as a VRT member handling copyright permissions.

My work is driven by a commitment to free knowledge, cultural representation, and building inclusive spaces within the Wikimedia ecosystem.

• 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.