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Why Wikipedia Often Overlooks Stories Of Women In History, Lara Nicosia, Tamar Carroll Mar 2018

Why Wikipedia Often Overlooks Stories Of Women In History, Lara Nicosia, Tamar Carroll

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Wikipedia's reliance on a volunteer editing base has resulted in a gender bias both in the quantity and quality of content around women. With less than 20% of Wikipedia's editors identifying as women, only 30% of biographical entries have been written about women and entries on women tend to be shorter and more focused on relationships and family roles than entries on men. This article explores the causes of Wikipedia's gender bias and offers ways that both individuals and institutions can help improve Wikipedia's content around women.