I was honored to attend the Inaugural Women In IP Conference, organized by the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) in collaboration with The Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) Project and The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). Held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Uganda, this three-day event, which commenced on August 28th, 2024, brought together representatives from 22 member states of ARIPO to address the challenges and opportunities for women in intellectual property (IP).
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The opening ceremony was a powerful start to the conference, featuring remarks from several distinguished guests, including:
Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, Registrar General of URSB
Ms. Nancy Samuriwo, AfrIPI Project Representative
Rt. Hon. Amb. Francis Butagira, URSB Board Chairman
Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, Director General of ARIPO
Ms. Caroline Adriaensen, European Union Representative in Uganda
Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda
H.E. Ms. Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda, who delivered the keynote address
These speakers set the tone for the conference, emphasising the critical importance of inclusivity and gender equity in the IP field.
Key Learnings from Day One
The first day of the conference provided a wealth of insights and highlighted some stark realities about the gender disparity in IP, both globally and regionally:
1. Significant Gender Disparity in IP
The gender gap in intellectual property is vast, with women contributing only 17% of patents registered worldwide. The data shared was staggering, revealing that women are approximately 40 years behind men in creating inventions, and parity is not expected until 2061. This gap underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support to promote gender equality in the IP sector.
2. Women’s Informal Participation in Innovation
While women are actively participating in the innovation space, their contributions often remain at an informal level. Many women do not endeavor to register or seek protection for their intellectual property, missing out on the benefits and protections that formal registration provides.
3. Call to Action for Women in IP
A strong call to action resonated throughout the day: women must bring more to the IP table. This means supporting, celebrating achievements, inspiring, and learning from each other’s experiences. There was an emphasis on fostering an environment that encourages women to innovate and protect their intellectual contributions.
4. Recommendations for Closing the IP Gender Gap
Several recommendations were put forward to help close the gender gap in IP:
Conclusion
I commend the organizers for hosting such a significant event and believe that it marks a critical step forward in supporting women in IP. By heeding the recommendations and lessons from this conference, we can make meaningful progress towards gender equality in the field of intellectual property. Together, we can ensure that women not only have a seat at the table but are also empowered to lead, innovate, and protect their creations.
I look forward to the continued discussions and collaborations that this conference has inspired and am optimistic about the future of women in IP.
Attending events like the Women In IP Conference reaffirms my commitment to supporting and advocating for gender equality in all areas of law and innovation. As a participant, I am inspired to continue working towards a more inclusive and equitable intellectual property landscape.