The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is on a mission to lead the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property (IP) ecosystem that promotes innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future.

One of the strategies adopted by the Organization in this regard is to support governments, enterprises, communities and individuals to use IP as a tool for growth and development. Another important strategy adopted by WIPO is to leave no one behind and make sure that the IP ecosystem is inclusive, particularly in relation to the most vulnerable and underserved stakeholders, such as women, youth, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), indigenous and migrant communities.

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated every year on 26 April, and it represents a good occasion to learn more about the role of IP in encouraging innovation, creativity, business development, economic advancement and overall progress. 

In 2021, the theme of the World Intellectual Property Day was “IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market.” In 2022, the theme was “IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future.” This year, the theme is “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.” By bringing the SMEs, Youth and Women into the spotlight, WIPO is working to bridge the gaps in the global IP ecosystem and demonstrate to the world the immense potential of these communities.

Only 16.2 percent of inventors named in international patent applications in 2022 were women. This share is increasing, but by current estimates, the IP gender gap for patent filings will be closed only in 50 years’ time. This progress is definitely not fast enough, and the entire world could win by encouraging women and girls to use IP to valorize their potential, develop their careers, and make use of their talents.

WIPO has a vast pool of resources that can be explored by all interested stakeholders around the globe. There are the Gender Equality and IP and Innovation Gender Gap web pages, which include information on women's participation in the IP system; there are also a lot of impact-driven projects supporting women entrepreneurs, artists, artisans and researchers in countries like Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Jordan, Mexico, Uganda, and many other places. There is a strong commitment to collect better data and help member states to integrate IP and gender-sensitive norms in national policy making.

Join WIPO this April in celebrating women and girls around the world, their infinite talent, creativity, ingenuity, courage and their efforts to build a better and more sustainable future by means of IP.
 

Photo copyright WIPO.