Wikipedia talk:Wikipedia Signpost/2010-09-06/News and notes

← Back to News and notes

Discuss this story

We definitely need more detail about what exactly "Movement Roles II" is. I've looked all over the official Foundation documentation where the term is used, but have not been able to find a clear definition of scope, purpose, staffing levels, budget, goals, or anything else more than a few sentences of fleeting reference. Ginger Conspiracy (talk) 05:44, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

I have recently joined the working group and can only answer some of these things. One main purpose of the group is to help define clearer long-term roles of the chapters vis-a-vis the foundation, and of Wikimedians at large vis-a-vis both chapters and the foundation. I have started a page on meta describing the group. –SJ+ 10:04, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

Given that the most ITN/SA involve politics and military battles, the bias against women is not surprising especially as the % of women in political/military roles would be < 5% until recently (particularly affecting the anniversaries) YellowMonkey (new photo poll) 08:52, 7 September 2010 (UTC)

In article discussions about controversial subjects we concede that Wikipedia reflects the world and that Wikipedia is not the place to right great wrongs. In the history of civilizations, many women have been excluded from positions of power. Rightly or wrongly (mostly wrongly), that is reflected in featured articles. The bias is exaggerated by the phenomenal work of the military history project, which trades in the male-dominated arena of war. I think there's probably room for more women than 15%, but part of the bias is just built into the male editors who disproportionately work here.

What role should the main page play? Should it attempt to present a balance which reflects demographics or the reality of culture and history? I'm not sure making the main page gender-balanced is really the answer unless we can attract the same numbers of actual female editors. Obviously males can work on articles about females, but people have biases and preferences too. I think the easiest way to rectify this problem is to keep bringing women to Wikipedia and to keep making it a more accessible and friendly place to edit. Ocaasi 22:54, 7 September 2010 (UTC)