GLAM/Newsletter/April 2020/Contents/Czech Republic report
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WikiGap 2020 in Czech Republic; International event; support for Wikimedia community; edit-a-thon run with the US embassy and the Swedish Embassy
WikiGap, the idea behind
On March 9th 2020, Wikimedia Czech Republic had partnered up with Swedish Embassy and US Embassy to Prague to run an event called WikiGap 2020. It was the third time when the initiative was organized by the local chapter in Czechia and it is connected to the International Women’s Day celebrations. What had started in 2017 as an edit-a-thon developed by Swedes together with three other Wiki communities, now continues to grow and spread around the globe increasingly gaining more supporters. The idea behind WikiGap is to eliminate a gender gap on Wikipedia and WMCZ finds this issue one of the crucial matters when it comes to Wikimedia’s projects development. Numbers speak for themselves: only 1 out of 10 editors on Wikipedia globally is a woman. Consequently, topics, which are of interest of the female part of the users represent the minority of subjects. Luckily thanks to (WikiGap 2020) in Czechia those differences are being reduced, even more, because this year the event was held in two locations, in Prague and Brno. Thanks to the engagement of both, team of organizers and lecturers, 46 articles were created and 55 were edited. All of that was possible because of 55 editors participating in the event. The Czech Republic became one of the 42 (WikiGap/2020/Events) events organized worldwide
Partners and outcomes
Most of the content covered new topics, in the majority the information contained bios of significant Czech women, nevertheless few of them concerned foreign figures, such as (Agatha Christie), (Sara Stridsbergová) or (Jacqueline „Jackie“ Cochran). There were also some, which covered important matters, namely (ProFem – centrum pro oběti domácího a sexuálního násilí) proFem - a center for victims of domestic and sexual violence and (Hnutí za aktivní mateřství), which stands for an active maternity movement.
WikiGap was supported by the (Velvyslanectví Spojených států amerických v Praze) (the USA Embassy to Prague) and (Švédské velvyslanectví v Praze) (the Swedish Embassy to Prague) and (Česká ženská lobby) (Czech Women's Lobby) however, two more representatives participated; from Canadian and Irish consulates. Thanks to the event WMCR established new partnerships with various organizations and individuals, for instance, Faculty of Sociology at Masaryk University in Brno, Gender Nora or Nesehnutí (social and environmental NGO). What wasn’t planned in the beginning, but was definitely an enriching benefit, was a collaboration with “Kapky na kameni” (book about 50 outstanding women in Czech history) book authors, who decided to support WikiGap 2020 in Brno with their presence.
An unexpected outcome of the event was a nomination to Wikimedia Commons Featured Videos for the short promo film from WikiGap 2020 made by one of WMCR members, which we strongly recommend to watch (English subtitles included).
Photo documentation was covered in both cities, Prague and Brno and displays the best spirit of the event!
