WIPO Highlights Three Years of Progress on Women, Innovation and Intellectual Property

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published “Women, Innovation and Impact”, showcasing three years of activities and achievements under its IP and Gender Action Plan (IPGAP), WIPO’s first strategic framework dedicated to advancing the participation of women and girls in the intellectual property ecosystem.

The publication brings together examples from different regions and sectors across the three interconnected pillars of IPGAP. These include supporting governments in integrating gender considerations into IP policies, legislation and institutional practices; strengthening the evidence base through research and data collection; and providing direct assistance to women entrepreneurs, innovators and creators through IP strategy, business development and economic empowerment programmes.

Featured initiatives range from support for integrating women into national IP strategies and international cooperation among IP offices to the development of research tools and capacity-building activities. The publication also highlights practical programmes such as the IP Youth Camp for girls in STEAM, the global “IP for Her” platform, and training designed to help women entrepreneurs protect and commercialise products based on traditional knowledge.

While highlighting progress achieved over the past three years, the publication also points to the work that remains to be done. WIPO calls for continued and more ambitious efforts to ensure that women’s innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship are more fully represented across the global IP system.