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Services</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--two"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Protecting IP</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT - The International Patent System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/">Madrid - The International Trademark System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/">Hague - The International Design System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/lisbon/en/">Lisbon - The International System of Appellations of Origin</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/">Budapest - The International Microorganism Deposit System</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/article6ter/en/">Article 6ter</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Resolving Disputes</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a 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href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/index.html#bodies">All Decision Making & Negotiating Bodies</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP & Other Policy Topics</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/">Traditional Knowledge</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/econ_stat/en/economics/">Economics</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/global_health/">Global Health</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/climate_change/">Climate Change</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-competition/en/">Competition Policy</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/">All policy</a></p></div></li> <li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/">Cooperation</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/">Cooperation</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"> <div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Development Cooperation</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/agenda/">Development Agenda</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/technical_assistance/">Technical Assistance</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/capacity_building/">Human Capacity Building</a></li> </ul></div> <div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Public-Private Partnerships</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/research/en/" target="_blank">WIPO Re:Search</a></li><li><a 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cooperation</a></p></div></li> <li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">Knowledge</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">Knowledge</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP Databases</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/">PATENTSCOPE</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/branddb/">Global Brand Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/monitor/en/">Madrid Monitor</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/designdb/">Global Design Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/design_search/">Hague Express</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/6ter/search-struct.jsp">Article 6ter</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Legal Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP Laws and Treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/">WIPO Administered Treaties</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">Technical Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/classifications/en/">International Classifications</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/standards/en/">Standards (WIPO Handbook)</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/wipopearl/">Terminology (WIPO Pearl)</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Information Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a 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nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Intellectual Property</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial Designs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Training</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li> <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li><li> <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops & Seminars</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP and ...</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/artificial_intelligence/">Artificial Intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/universities_research/">Universities</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/">Gender Equality</a></li> </ul> </div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Raising Awareness</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/">World IP Day</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/awards/">WIPO Awards</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/tools/">Outreach Campaigns</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/">WIPO Magazine</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">All about IP</a></p></div></li><li 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<button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/">Gender Equality and IP</a></li> </ul> <div class="dropdown nav__on-this-page"><a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">On this page <strong class="caret"></strong></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu--on-this-page"> <li><a href="#news">News</a></li> <li><a href="#challenge">The challenge</a></li> <li><a href="#videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="#stories">Stories from the field</a></li> <li><a href="#initiatives">WIPO initiatives</a></li> <li><a href="#related">Related links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="content"> <h1>Gender Equality and Intellectual Property</h1> <div class="main"> <p class="lead">Men and women are equally creative and innovative. Yet, women remain under-represented in many areas.</p> <p class="lead">WIPO is committed to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment both within the Organization and in the wider world of intellectual property (IP).</p> <p>WIPO's Policy on Gender Equality <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/docs/en/wipo_policy_gender_equality_en.pdf"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.svg" alt="PDF, WIPO's Policy on Gender Equality"/></a>, adopted in 2014, aims to provide a general framework for how the Organization aims to integrate a gender perspective in its policies and programs.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><a id="wipoLnk1" href="#wipoModal1" data-toggle="modal"><img class="media-object" src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/women_pct_640_player.jpg" alt=""/></a> <div id="wipoModal1" class="modal hide fade" style="display: none;" tabindex="0"> <div class="modal-body"><video width="auto" height="auto" id="wipoVideo1" tabindex="1" poster="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/images/women_pct_640.jpg" preload="none" controls="controls"><source type="video/ogg" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/women-and-ip/women_innovation_pct.ogg"/> <source type="video/webm" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/women_ip/women_innovation_pct.webm"/> <source type="video/mp4" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/women_ip/women_innovation_pct.mp4"/></video></div> <div class="modal-footer"><button id="wipoBtn1" class="btn" data-dismiss="modal">Close</button></div> </div> <figcaption class="credit"> </figcaption> </figure> <h3>Women, Innovation and IP – Panel Discussion</h3> <p class="secondary">Video: What needs to be done to foster more inclusive innovation ecosystems in which both women and men can thrive?</p> </div> </div> <div class="content content--news line"> <div class="main"><a name="news"></a> <div id="wipo-news" data-layout="vertical" data-xml="/tools/en/includes/ocms_news.xml?path=/women-and-ip/en/news/" data-number="3"></div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <figure><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/news/2017/news_0008.html"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/bend_the_trend_500.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption>Bend the Trend – Making gender parity a reality at the<a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/assemblies/"> WIPO Assemblies</a> (Photo: WIPO). <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/news/2017/news_0008.html">Find out more...</a></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h1 id="challenge">The Challenge: Gender Gaps and Insufficient Data</h1> <div class="main"> <p class="lead">Despite general improvements in gender equality around the world, gender gaps in patenting, in particular, persist. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/publications/en/details.jsp?id=4196">WIPO’s latest data</a> show that just 30.5% of the international patent applications filed via the Organization included at least one women inventor.</p> <p>While it is encouraging that the number of <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/">PCT</a> applications with at least one woman inventor has nearly doubled since 2007, gender parity remains a distant prospect.  Assuming that the trend continues, the numbers are expected to balance out only in 2076.</p> <p>Furthermore, only limited data is available with which to measure women’s contributions in other areas of intellectual property, such as <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">trademarks</a> and <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">copyright</a>. As such, more work is needed to ensure that both men and women can equally access and use the IP system and profit fully from their creative and innovative assets.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1526&context=jgspl" target="_blank">Do Patents have Gender?</a></h3> <p>Over the past several decades, gender studies have influenced numerous areas of law, often illuminating hidden biases that had gone unappreciated. This research paper discusses gender issues in patent law, relating patents to the previous literature on law and gender, and suggesting potential ways forward for equitable systems of innovation and creativity.</p> <p><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/academic_resources/"><button class="btn btn-info" type="button">Full list of academic resources</button></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <div class="cols cols--two"> <h2 id="videos" class="header">Videos <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsm_LOEppJaw_7ckzHxBdMMgYs4J-SYce" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-info" type="button">More videos on YouTube</button></a></h2> <div class="col"> <figure><a id="wipoLnk2" href="#wipoModal2" data-toggle="modal"><img class="media-object" src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/wipo_posterwomenpanama_640.jpg" alt=""/></a> <div id="wipoModal2" class="modal hide fade" style="display: none;" tabindex="0"> <div class="modal-body"><video width="300" height="150" id="wipoVideo2" tabindex="1" poster="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/" preload="none" controls="controls"> <source type="video/ogg" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/women_ip/panama_women_ip.ogg"/> <source type="video/webm" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/women_ip/panama_women_ip.webm"/> <source type="video/mp4" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/women_ip/panama_women_ip.mp4"/></video></div> <div class="modal-footer"><button id="wipoBtn2" class="btn" data-dismiss="modal">Close</button></div> </div> <figcaption class="credit"> </figcaption> </figure> <h3>Indigenous women of Panama</h3> <p>The indigenous women of Panama are adept at turning their traditional knowledge into an IP asset.</p> </div> <div class="col"> <figure><a id="wipoLnk3" href="#wipoModal3" data-toggle="modal"><img class="media-object" src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/posters/wipo_javara_player_640.jpg" alt=""/></a> <div id="wipoModal3" class="modal hide fade" style="display: none;" tabindex="0"> <div class="modal-body"><video width="300" height="150" id="wipoVideo3" tabindex="1" poster="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/" preload="none" controls="controls"> <source type="video/ogg" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/pressroom/javara.ogg"/> <source type="video/webm" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/pressroom/javara.webm"/> <source type="video/mp4" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/pressroom/javara.mp4"/></video></div> <div class="modal-footer"><button id="wipoBtn3" class="btn" data-dismiss="modal">Close</button></div> </div> <figcaption class="credit"> </figcaption> </figure> <h3>Founder of Indonesia's "JAVARA", takes brand global</h3> <p>Meet Indonesian businesswoman Helianti Hilman, whose strong trademark strategy is helping promote her "Javara" brand of Indonesian food biodiversity products in overseas markets.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <h2 class="header">Photos</h2> <br/> <figure><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/tags/womenandip/" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/wipo_womenatwipo_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: WIPO)</figcaption> </figure> <h3>Women in IP</h3> <p>A collection of photos featuring women active in the world of IP. From staff, to delegates, visitors, and more.  <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/tags/womenandip/" target="_blank">Photos on Flickr.</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--four line"> <h2 id="stories">Stories from the field</h2> <p class="lead">A selection of content on the theme of role models, gender equality, women’s empowerment and IP. Find more <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/search.jsp?ins_protection_id=&focus_id=2292">case studies</a> and <a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/search/search.jsp?subject=women_ip">WIPO Magazine</a> articles on the topic.</p> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3228"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/wipo_goodname_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: m2m)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3228">How a good name can save lives</a></h3> <p>Trademarks and savvy branding helped this South African NGO to get closer to its goal of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDs.</p> </div> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=5697"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/e_alonsoperez_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: Pernod-Ricard)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=5697">Smart agriculture – GPS and animal health</a></h3> <p>Imagine a GPS-based technology which monitors animals' movements to give farmers useful information about the health of their livestock. Uruguayan entrepreneur Victoria Alonsopérez developed just such a system.</p> </div> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2915"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/wipo_ipdevafrica_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: Flickr/WWEF)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2915">Treading a new path for IP and development in Africa</a></h3> <p>Find out how one of Ethiopia's top female entrepreneurs co-founded footwear brand soleRebels and helped steer it to global success.</p> </div> <div class="col"> <figure><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3619l"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/e_jansen_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Image: Flickr/Senorhorst Jahnsen)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=3619">Pappadums and the path to empowerment</a></h3> <p>Discover a successful cooperative established by Indian women that has developed a unique model for the development and empowerment of low-income female workers.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2 id="initiatives">Initiatives at WIPO</h2> <div class="main"> <p>Frequently in cooperation with national IP offices and other partners, WIPO organizes informational and capacity building events that focus on the creativity and innovation potential of women:</p> <div class="listings listings--archive"> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h3 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/tad/en/activitydetails.jsp?id=13043" target="_blank">Womens Invention exposition: International Women Forum and Workshop</a></h3> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">(June 8-13, 2017 – Seoul, Republic of Korea)</time></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h3 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/tad/en/activitydetails.jsp?id=11886" target="_blank">The Seed Project: International Education Program on Ideas, Invention, Innovation and IP</a></h3> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">(March 13-17, 2017 – Seoul, Republic of Korea)</time></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h3 class="listing__title"><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/funds_in_trust/japan_fitip/news/2016/news_0001.html">Bringing IP and Branding to Basket Weaving in Kenya</a></h3> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">(February 17-18, 2016 – Voi, Kenya)</time></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h3 class="listing__title"><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=33083">WIPO Special Seminar: Does Intellectual Property Have Gender?</a></h3> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">(December 3, 2014 – Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> </article> </div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <figure><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.genevagenderchampions.com/" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20180826081522im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/women-and-ip/images/e_ggc_600.jpg" alt="Geneva Gender Champions Network logo"/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Image: Geneva Gender Champions Network)</figcaption> </figure> <h3>International Gender Champions</h3> <p>WIPO is proud to be part of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180826081522/http://www.genevagenderchampions.com/" target="_blank">International Gender Champions Network</a>, which brings together committed leaders to serve as champions for gender equality.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--four line"> <h2 id="related">Related links</h2> <div class="col"> <h3>Cooperation</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/cooperation/en/capacity_building/">Capacity building</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/agenda/">Development Agenda</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-development/en/agenda/millennium_goals/millennium_goal_3.html">Millennium Development Goal 3</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col"> <h3>About IP</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">What is intellectual property?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops and seminars</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180826081522/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/awards/">WIPO Awards</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col"> 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