Revealing the stories of ‘Women hidden from history’ #wiki4women

Call for participants on the occasion of the International Women’s Day

8 March 2019, UNESCO Bangkok

As a 14-year-old during the Second World War, Panee Sirivejjabhandu risked her life by smuggling medicine and contraband to war prisoners in camps along the Kwai River. Her father, Boonpong, is widely recognized for saving thousands of prisoners’ lives during the war; his teenage daughter’s role, however, has been nearly elided from history.

Panee’s extraordinary story, which is so little known inside her own country, is just one example of historical narratives ignoring the lives and accomplishments of women. In fields ranging from philosophy and journalism to education and the sciences, women’s influential experiences and contributions have shaped our societies, and yet his-story – the past related from a dominant male view – is what is taught to children in schools and visible online and in the media. This distorts most people’s view of the world and their commitment to gender equality and sustainable development.

‘Women hidden from history’ seeks to bring these extraordinary stories to light. In line with the vision of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNESCO is launching the initiative to research, review, document and publish online the accounts of remarkable women that are often overlooked – and sometimes suppressed from history.

On International Women’s Day on 8 March 2019, UNESCO Bangkok and Wikimedia Foundation are inviting students, professionals, researchers, gender-equality advocates and other active members of societies for an edit-a-thon to feature more women’s portraits on Wikipedia. Volunteers and mentors will then begin to document women’s stories, based both on translations of existing Wikipedia posts and new research of books, historical and journalistic archives, academic journals as well as online resources contributing to new, better-informed narratives of the people who have shaped our societies. The #wiki4women edit-a-thon will be launched in Thailand but should expand across the region given the relevancy across the Asia-Pacific.

The theme of International Women’s Day this year, ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’, is inspirational for the ‘Women hidden from history’ project. There is a growing recognition of the transformational contributions that women have made, expanding far beyond traditional ‘feminine’ roles, recognition that has taken decades to develop and circulate across society. Women’s narratives supplanting gender bias on a free online encyclopedia conveys an understanding of the past and the present reality that is simply more accurate.

This first #wiki4women on ‘Women hidden from history’ is supported by the UNESCO ‘Women Make the News Thailand’ project.

Where?

UNESCO Bangkok Office (5th floor meeting room)
Mom Luang Pin Malakul Centenary Building, 920 Sukhumvit Road
@ BTS Thonglor or Ekkamai

When?

From 8.30 am to 4 pm on Friday 8 March 2019

Programme of the Day

8.30-9.00 Registration

9.00-9.10 Opening remarks by UNESCO Bangkok

9.10-9.30 Exploring Wikipedia's gender bias

9.30-10.00 Introductory lecture to Wikipedia

10.00-12.00 Workshop and edit-a-thon

12.00-13.00 Lunch break

13.00-16.00 Edit-a-thon

*UNESCO will provide lunch, coffee and tea to all participants throughout the day

Requirements to participate

• Please bring a laptop or a tablet
• Having registered for a Wikipedia account before the event
• If you already have a precise idea, please bring any reference materials (books, media articles, academic journals, photographs, videos, etc) documenting women you would like to feature
• Good understanding of English (the introductory lecture will be provided in English while the workshop will be facilitated in both English and Thai)
• Capacity to read and write in English or Thai as well as basic computer literacy to contribute to Wikipedia
• Commitment to contribute articles on ‘Women hidden from history’

Please register to the event: http://bit.ly/wiki4women2019

Media contact:

Jeremy Walden-Schertz
Media Officer, UNESCO Bangkok
jc.schertz@unesco.org
+66 2 391 0577 ext 347

For general enquiries:

Ms Kamonwan Petchot
Communication and Information Unit, UNESCO Bangkok
k.petchot@unesco.org
+66 2 391 0577 ext 135