The Wiki Loves Women Skills Focus programme is a practical, group-based online training programme that is
designed to build specific skills among community members involved in Wikimedia and Open movements. The programme emphasizes learning by doing and creating, helping participants produce tangible results that improve how women are represented online.
The WLW Skills Focus programme builds on the experience of the Wiki Loves Women Focus Group. While the Focus Group creates a space for ongoing exchange, reflection, and peer learning, this programme is structured within a short timeframe to transfer and develop targeted skills with clear deliverables. Each cohort is centred on one theme, with participants working towards a defined final output.
For the 2026 edition, the focus is on audio storytelling through podcast production. Participants will be guided through the full process of creating a podcast episode, from idea to publication.
The WLW Skills Focus programme is part of a wider approach by Wiki In Africa to supporting communities with practical tools and knowledge. The aim is to ensure that participants are able not only to learn new skills, but also to apply them in their local contexts and share them with others.
Key points
- The programme is run as a small cohort (approximately 10–15 participants).
- It is intended for intermediate and advanced participants, not beginners.
- Participants should already have some experience in Wikimedia, communication, or content creation.
- Applicants are expected to be connected to an existing volunteer group, user group, or organisation, and to share what they learn.
- The programme combines weekly training sessions and independent work.
- Each participant is expected to produce and publish one completed final audio episode.
My name is Raveloaritiana Mamisoa, I am a Wikimedia contributor from Madagascar and the Francophone Community Coordinator at Africa Wiki Women. Through my involvement in the Wikimedia movement, I work to strengthen participation and collaboration within Francophone communities, and I love organizing and participating in Wikimedia initiatives and campaigns. As a contributor, I create and improve content on Wikimedia platforms, including articles about my country and its heritage.
Raveloaritiana Mamisoa
Madagascar
I am Chinmayee Mishra, an Odia Wikimedian and community organiser from India, and have been actively contributing to the Wikimedia movement for a decade now, particularly around knowledge equity, gender gap, community development, technological advancements and capacity building. I have been involved in initiatives including Wiki Women Camp 2023, WikiConference India 2026, Wiki Women* Task Force 2025, and the Let’s Connect peer learning programme, and I’m particularly interested in creating more inclusive spaces for learning and participation within the movement.
Chinmayee Mishra
India
Based in Pretoria, South Africa, Julia Lemekwane is an award-winning author, final-year Information Science student at the University of South Africa (UNISA), publisher, and founder of Royal Bookstore. She is a chapter member of Wikimedia South Africa and participated in the SADiLaR-Wikipedia-PanSALB (SWiP) Train-the-Trainer mentoring and coaching programme. As a SWiP facilitator, she leads Wikipedia mini-workshops that promote open knowledge, digital literacy, and the representation of South African languages and underrepresented communities on Wikimedia platforms. Her work combines librarianship, publishing, and information literacy to expand equitable access to knowledge.
Julia Lemekwane
South Africa
Je m'appelle Falaka Issaka, jeune géographe togolais et membre de la communauté Wikimedia depuis 2023. Je contribue à la promotion des connaissances libres et m'intéresse particulièrement aux thématiques liées à l'environnement, au climat et au développement durable. À travers Wikimedia, je souhaite accroître la visibilité des contenus africains et contribuer à un accès libre et inclusif au savoir.
Falaka Issaka
Togo
My name is Amina Alhassan from Ghana. I am a Wikimedian, Student- teacher, and a contributor to the Dagbani Wikipedia, where I am passionate about promoting indigenous languages and improving access to free knowledge. I enjoy contributing to Wikimedia projects and supporting initiatives that empower communities through open knowledge.
Amina Alhassan
Ghana
Je m'appelle Kannenwa Moutassala (Kannenwa Rachel sur wikimedia) communicante et contributrice Wikimedia au Tchad. Membre de Wikimedia Tchad depuis 2024, je participe à des initiatives visant à promouvoir la connaissance libre, à documenter le patrimoine africain et à accroître la visibilité des femmes et des communautés africaines sur les projets Wikimedia.
Kannenwa Moutassala
Tchad
Je suis passionnée par le partage des connaissances et les initiatives qui favorisent l'accès libre à l'information. Mon engagement envers Wikimedia consiste à contribuer à des contenus fiables, à promouvoir la collaboration et à soutenir la diffusion du savoir au bénéfice de tous.
Oumarou Tahirou Rakifatou
Niger
My name is Bashir Yahuza Muhammad. I am an active Wikimedia editor with over 50,000 edits across Wikimedia projects, contributing as an administrator on Hausa Wikipedia and a New Page Reviewer on English Wikipedia. For the past three consecutive years, I have organized the Wiki Loves Women #SheSaid campaign in the Hausa community, and I also volunteer with the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria as a member of its Programmes Team.
Bashir Muhammad
Nigeria
A volunteer with the Wikimedia Community User Group of Uganda (WCUGU) since 2022, I am passionate about open knowledge for development - I believe in equitable, diverse and inclusive knowledge exchange and sharing.