On Czech Wikipedia today, you will find over 133,000 articles about men and only 30,000 about women, a mere 22% of all biographies. The missing aren't only historical figures. Many current female scientists, internationally recognised and published in leading journals, have no entry at all. In March, the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (FZU) joined forces with Wikimedia Czech Republic to do something about it, co-organising an editathon on 24 March focused on women in science.
An editathon, a combination of the words "edit" and "marathon", is an organised event where participants edit Wikipedia together. Every piece of information added must be supported by a reliable source, such as a scientific paper, a book, or a reputable news outlet. Experienced tutors are available throughout the event to help with formatting and referencing.
Women in red
The March event was part of the Women's Month on Wikipedia initiative, organised every year by Wikimedia Czech Republic. It follows in the footsteps of similar international projects, including the English-language Women in Red, a name that refers to the way Wikipedia marks articles that do not yet exist: in red.
The afternoon began with a guided tour of the historic Academy of Sciences building, including its library. In the nearby Věda a umění Gallery, visitors could also see an exhibition on endangered features of Czech dialects. The workshop itself took place in a calm, focused atmosphere. Some participants arrived with a topic and sources already prepared; others chose from a shared list of suggested articles.
New biographies of female scientists were created, and existing articles were expanded and improved. The afternoon also included a photo competition. Participants could upload portraits of female scientists to Wikimedia Commons and link them to encyclopaedia entries.
Why visibility matters
Wikipedia is the world's most widely used encyclopaedia. It is the first stop for students, journalists, researchers and the general public. Search engines and artificial intelligence systems also treat it as a priority source.
When a female scientist is missing from Wikipedia, she tends to disappear from textbooks, lectures and public memory too. And she will never be found by students and early-career researchers who might have seen their own path in her story.
In May and June, the Institute of Physics will take part in the Month of Science, which will cover a broader range of scientific topics. If you would like to start editing Wikipedia yourself, Wikimedia Czech Republic has a beginner's guide ready for new editors.
