Mr Bashir Yahuza, Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Wikipedians User Group, has said its mission is to promote Wikipedia projects across the region, with a special focus on the under-served communities, especially women.
Speaking in an interview on the group’s efforts, Yahuza highlighted their objective to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for Wikipedians throughout the region.
According to Yahuza, digital literacy rates in Northern Nigeria, especially among women, remain low.
He pointed out that women were underrepresented in digital networking and online activities, which the group aims to address.
“As part of efforts to bridge the gap, the group has launched a campaign entitled, ‘Wiki Loves Women.’ This initiative focuses on equipping women with the skills to edit Wikipedia articles, while also encouraging them to contribute by writing about notable women,” Yahuza said
He added that the goal is to increase the number of Wikipedia articles featuring prominent women, thus amplifying their contributions and stories.
Yahuza also revealed that the group was organising a contest where women can participate and win prizes by contributing to Wikipedia.
He emphasised the importance of women engaging in the digital space, saying, “Wikipedia provides free access to vast information and women should be a part of this knowledge-sharing platform,” he said.
“During a recent two-day training session, 50 women benefited from hands-on editing tutorials, with plans to train 100 women per state in future sessions.”
Yahuza added that an upcoming online training session would offer further opportunities for women to enhance their digital skills.
He called on women, especially in northern Nigeria, to take up the challenge of improving their digital literacy and joining the Wikipedia community.
Yahuza urged them to use their talents to support their families and share their knowledge online.
He emphasised that women were often hardworking and capable of making significant contributions to the digital world.
According to him, the upcoming contest will focus on quotations from prominent women, further encouraging participants to showcase their talents and engage with the platform.
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