Women and Intellectual Property

Women and Intellectual Property

This web page is intended primarily to provide information about intellectual property issues and WIPO activities that may be of particular interest and concern to women. It also hopes to serve as a link to other related web sites and to facilitate networking among women in the intellectual property field. Finally, this web page pays tribute, at least in a representative capacity, to some of the many women around the world, frequently "unsung heroes", of all nationalities, races, religions, ages and social backgrounds, who have, are, and hopefully increasingly will continue to make significant contributions in the intellectual property field.

Although traditionally women have not generally held major prominence in the intellectual property field, an area frequently seen as a "masculine" activity in years past, this has sometimes been more a matter of perception than of reality. Moreover, in recent times, the intellectual property field, as every aspect of human endeavor, has witnessed significant strides being made by women towards achieving equality, both in terms of opportunities and of recognition.

One very visible sign of progress is the increasing number of women acceding to high-level positions in intellectual property administrations, within both the public and private sectors, and at the national, regional and international levels. This development is reflected in the growing number of women representatives who participate in WIPO meetings and other events as well as in the high proportion of women who benefit from the various WIPO training and other educational programs.

Women have long been known to have made important contributions in the visual and performing arts, in music and in literature, even if they may not have always received the recognition they deserved. Around the world, in indigenous, nomadic and agricultural communities, it is frequently women who have been and continue to be entrusted with safeguarding and transmitting traditional knowledge and folklore. It is important that these contributions be recognized and protected where appropriate.

The only person to have ever been awarded two Nobel prizes, each in a different science (physics and chemistry), Marie Curie, may have stood out as a "lonely" pioneer in her times. She nonetheless inspired millions of future women (and also male) scientists around the world.
http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/