Women in Red: Closing Wikipedia's Gender Gap in Biographies 2026

Women in Red is a Wikipedia project dedicated to closing the gender gap in biographies, and its impact is steadily growing. Sandi Toksvig recently highlighted the systemic bias in information about women's lives in history, but her comments implied that no one is working to correct this bias on Wikipedia. In reality, dedicated volunteers are making significant strides.

What is Women in Red?

Women in Red is a WikiProject launched in October 2014 with the goal of increasing the representation of women on Wikipedia. At that time, only 15.53% of biographies on the encyclopedia were about women. As of October 2026, that figure has risen to 20.42%, thanks to the efforts of countless volunteers. The project currently publishes an average of 1,500 new biographies every month.

The Challenge of Systemic Bias

Volunteers face broader systemic biases beyond Wikipedia. Historians and archivists have long overlooked women's lives, making it harder to find reliable sources. Bookshops still favor biographies of men over women, reflecting the persistent "Great Man" view of history. Since Wikipedia does not accept primary research, editors rely on secondary sources, which are often scarce for women.

How Women in Red is Making a Difference

The project has been instrumental in raising awareness and driving change. By organizing edit-a-thons, creating lists of missing articles, and providing resources, Women in Red empowers editors to write biographies of notable women. The increase from 15.53% to 20.42% demonstrates that sustained effort can yield results.

Key Takeaways

• Women in Red has increased female biographies on Wikipedia from 15.53% to 20.42% since 2014.
• The project publishes an average of 1,500 new biographies each month.
• Systemic biases in historical records and publishing make sourcing harder.
• Volunteers rely on secondary sources, as Wikipedia prohibits primary research.
• Anyone can join Women in Red to help close the gender gap.

Comparing Wikipedia's Gender Gap Over Time

The table below shows the progress made in female representation on Wikipedia:

While the increase is encouraging, women still represent less than a quarter of all biographies, indicating much work remains.

How You Can Help

Joining Women in Red is open to everyone. You can contribute by writing new biographies, improving existing ones, or adding sources. Even small efforts add up. The project provides training and support for new editors. By participating, you help ensure that women's achievements are documented and accessible.

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