As we conclude the EmpowerHer Edit-a-Thon 2024, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and reflection. Serving as the Anglophone Community Reviewer for this initiative has insights into the power of collaborative efforts to amplify underrepresented voices on Wikipedia and Wikidata. Organised by Charter Africa in collaboration with Africa Wikipedian Alliance (AWA), this edit-a-thon women in democracy, elections, and governance within African Union (AU) by bridging content gaps and fostering a vibrant community of contributors passionate about knowledge dissemination and inclusivity.

Project Overview

The EmpowerHer Edit-a-Thon 2024 was launched as an African Wikipedian Alliance (AWA) community-driven initiative. AWA is known for its  dynamic Francophone and Anglophone network comprising 254 African Wikimedians dedicated to combating misinformation and promoting factual information on Wikipedia and its sister projects to improve open access to information in Africa. The goal of the editathon is to amplify the representation of Women in democracy, elections, and governance within African Union states on Wikipedia and Wikidata. This collaborative effort also involves participants, both male and female, to rectify grammatical and factual inaccuracies across Wikipedia and Wikidata. edit-a-thon, held from 22nd March to 23rd April 2024, collaboration in enhancing data and content for Wikidata. With an emphasis on article creation and editing, content translation, and Wikidata contributions, the project participants make impactful contributions to the platform's content. Over a span of four (4) weeks, the edit-a-thon garnered the participation of 49 registered Anglophone contributors, each contributing unique insights, skills, and passion to this collective endeavour.

Key Activities

As the Anglophone Community Reviewer, my role involved overseeing the contributions of participants, providing feedback, and ensuring the quality and relevance of content created and edited during the edit-a-thon. Here are the key activities I carried out:

• Attending Training Sessions and Working Hours: Throughout the edit-a-thon, I engaged actively in training sessions and working hours conducted by the project team and trainers. These sessions were instrumental in elucidating the jury process and the rules governing the edit-a-thon to the participants. Additionally, I collaborated with Aboubacar Keïta, the Francophone Community Reviewer, and the project team in co-developing the scoring system, ensuring its alignment with the objectives and requirements of the initiative.

• Review and Evaluation: I meticulously reviewed and evaluated participant contributions, assessing their alignment with Wikipedia guidelines, relevance to the project's thematic focus, and overall quality. This involved conducting detailed reviews of articles and Wikidata items on the outreach dashboard and event metapage, and providing constructive feedback to the community coordinator weekly.

• Communication and Support: I maintained open lines of communication with participants, offering guidance, answering queries, and providing support throughout the edit-a-thon. This involved responding to participant inquiries, facilitating discussions, and addressing any challenges or concerns raised by contributors, ensuring a supportive and collaborative environment for all participants.

• Data Management and Reporting: I maintained accurate records of participant contributions, project metrics, and feedback received, ensuring transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. This involved using the outreach dashboard, event metapage, and checking each participant’s contributions page to track progress, analyze data, and generate reports to inform the project team and support project evaluation and improvement.

  Key Achievements

• Growth in Participation: The edit-a-thon witnessed a steady increase in participation throughout its duration. Starting with 42 editors in the inaugural week, the project saw this number grow to 49 by the final week. This consistent growth underscores the sustained interest and engagement generated by the initiative.

• Content Enrichment: The collective efforts of participants resulted in the creation of 42 new articles and the editing of 63 existing articles. These contributions added approximately 40,000 words and 336 references, significantly enhancing the platform's depth, diversity, and credibility.

• Interactive Learning Environment: The edit-a-thon facilitated interactive training sessions and office hours, empowering participants with valuable skills in Wikipedia editing, Wikidata management, and content creation. These sessions not only equipped participants with the necessary tools but also fostered a supportive learning environment, encouraging active participation and collaborative learning.

• Community Building: The edit-a-thon served as a platform for fostering connections and building a sense of community among participants. Through collaborative editing, shared learning experiences, and mutual support, participants cultivated relationships and networks that extended beyond the edit-a-thon, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and community engagement.

Challenges and Solutions

• Engagement Levels: While participation was encouraging, maintaining consistent engagement across weeks presented challenges. To address this, weekly reminders, and personalized support were suggested and implemented. These strategies aimed to keep participants informed, motivated, and engaged throughout the edit-a-thon's duration, ensuring sustained participation and commitment to the project's objectives.

• Content Relevance and Quality: Ensuring the relevance, accuracy, and quality of contributions was a priority. Continuous monitoring, feedback loops, and quality checks were implemented to maintain content integrity, adherence to Wikipedia guidelines, and alignment with the project's thematic focus. These measures helped uphold the edit-a-thon's standards and enhance the overall quality of contributions.

Lessons Learned

• The Power of Community Collaboration: The edit-a-thon highlighted the transformative potential of collaborative efforts in achieving meaningful impact. The sense of community, shared purpose, and mutual support among participants enriched the edit-a-thon experience, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and empowerment.

• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: The evolving dynamics of community-driven projects necessitate adaptability, responsiveness, and continuous learning. By fostering a conducive learning environment, offering ongoing support, and adapting to participants' needs and challenges, we can enhance engagement, foster skill development, and contribute more effectively to the project's success.

• Importance of Feedback and Reflection: Incorporating feedback mechanisms and opportunities for reflection can be instrumental in identifying areas for improvement, addressing challenges, and optimizing project outcomes. Regular feedback sessions, participant surveys, and reflective practices can help inform future initiatives, foster continuous improvement, and enhance participant satisfaction and engagement.

Conclusion

As I reflect on my involvement as the Anglophone Community Reviewer for the EmpowerHer Edit-a-thon 2024, I am filled with gratitude and pride. The dedication, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit demonstrated by participants have been truly inspiring, reaffirming the transformative potential of community-driven initiatives in driving positive change and knowledge dissemination.

While the edit-a-thon may be concluding, the spirit of collaboration, learning, and empowerment will continue to resonate, inspiring future initiatives, fostering community growth, and leaving a lasting impact on Wikipedia's content landscape.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all participants, organizers, and supporters who contributed to the success of this initiative. I look forward to the power of collective effort, the joy of learning, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead in our journey of knowledge sharing and community building.