Northern Nigerian Wikipedians To Promote Digital Literacy Among Women

The Chairman of the Northern Nigerian Wikipedians User Group, Bashir Yahuza has emphasized the group’s mission to promote Wikipedia projects throughout northern Nigeria, focusing on underserved communities.

In an interview, Yahuza outlined their objective to create an inclusive environment for Wikipedians in the region. He noted that digital literacy rates in northern Nigeria, especially among women, remain low, and highlighted the underrepresentation of women in digital spaces, which the group seeks to address.

To bridge this gap, the group has launched the “Wiki Loves Women” campaign. This initiative equips women with the skills to edit Wikipedia articles while encouraging them to contribute by writing about notable women.

The goal is to increase the number of Wikipedia articles featuring prominent women, thus amplifying their stories and contributions. Yahuza also revealed that the group is organizing a contest where women can win prizes by contributing to Wikipedia.

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He emphasized the importance of women engaging in the digital space, noting that Wikipedia offers free access to a vast array of knowledge, and women should be part of this platform.

During a recent two-day training session, 50 women received hands-on editing tutorials, with plans to train 100 women per state in future sessions.

Yahuza added that an upcoming online training session will provide more opportunities for women to enhance their digital skills. He encouraged women, particularly those in northern Nigeria, to improve their digital literacy and join the Wikipedia community.

He urged them to use their talents to support their families and share their knowledge online, emphasizing that women are hardworking and capable of making significant contributions to the digital world.

The upcoming contest will focus on quotations from prominent women, further motivating participants to engage with the platform.

Yahuza stressed the need for northern Nigerian women to embrace the digital age and take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Wikipedian initiative.

NAN