Iranian Wikimedians User Group/Report/2022

Iran was a proud participant in the Wik 2021 Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) competition, an annual international photographic competition that celebrates cultural heritage through photography. As a result of Iran's participation, we received around 4153 files, which were uploaded to Wikimedia Commons.

During the contest, our team responded to around 50 questions and comments on Twitter, Instagram, the Wiki Loves Monuments page, and Commons. We were grateful for the opportunity to engage with the community and answer their questions about the contest and the importance of documenting Iran's cultural heritage through photography

The Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) event, which celebrates cultural heritage through photography, was originally scheduled to take place in Iran in 2022. However, due to the prevailing political situation in Iran and circumstances beyond our control, we were regrettably compelled to reschedule the event.

The WLM event had been eagerly anticipated in Iran, and we had received a great deal of interest from participants, supporters, and enthusiasts. However, the challenging political environment and unforeseen events made it impossible to hold the event as planned.

The @wlmiran Twitter account has over 1,000 followers and has tweeted over 1,000 times since it was created in 2017. The account's tweets focus on promoting the Wiki Loves Monuments competition in Iran, as well as sharing photos of Iran's cultural heritage.

The account has been successful in engaging with its followers. Its tweets have been retweeted over 1,000 times and have received over 10,000 likes. The account has also been featured in several Iranian media outlets.

The @wikimonumentsiran Instagram account has over 2,000 followers and has posted over 100 photos since it was created in 2018. The account's photos focus on Iran's cultural heritage, and they have been liked over 10,000 times.

The account has been successful in engaging with its followers. Its photos have been commented on over 1,000 times, and they have been shared over 500 times. The account has also been featured in several Iranian media outlets.

The Iranian Wikimedian User Group has partnered with universities and interest groups to promote knowledge-sharing and collaborative editing. These partnerships have resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of contributions to Wikimedia projects originating from Iran. The group plans to continue expanding its reach and nurturing partnerships with more educational institutions and interest groups in the future.

Here are some specific examples of the group's accomplishments:

• Established collaborative programs with four prominent universities
• Organized a series of in-person meetings and workshops
• Engaged with a variety of interest groups

The group's work is important because it fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing and engagement. By providing hands-on training and opportunities for collaboration, the group is empowering individuals to actively participate in the Wikimedia community and contribute meaningfully to the global information landscape.

The Iranian Wikimedian User Group (IWUG) organized a successful online edit-a-thon in March 2023 with the aim of enhancing the coverage of women on Wikipedia and addressing gender bias on the platform. Around 300 articles were created, and 53 participants engaged in the event. The edit-a-thon welcomed editors of all levels and genders, offering training on article creation and editing. Notably, the initiative positively impacted Wikipedia's gender balance by adding articles about women's contributions in various fields.

The editathon's achievements underscore its value, inspiring new Wikipedians and contributing to the broader mission of the IWUG to promote gender equity on Wikipedia. The group's commitment extends beyond this event, encompassing initiatives to recruit, train, and support women editors. By fostering inclusivity and representation, the IWUG envisions a more comprehensive and diverse Wikipedia encyclopedia.

Additional details include the editathon's online format, accessibility to participants throughout Iran, promotion through various platforms, provision of training, a dedicated Wikipedia page for tracking progress, and recognition through awarded prizes. The IWU is proud of this achievement and remains dedicated to its ongoing work in promoting gender balance on Wikipedia