By: Jovanka Trebotich, Innovation Coordinator Know Hub Chile
In the field of innovation and intellectual property, the gender gap persists as one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century. Despite progress in women’s participation in patent registration at the international level, a recent study by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reminds us how far we are from achieving gender parity. Although women’s participation in international patent applications has increased from 13% to 23% between 1999 and 2020, full equality is not expected until around 2061 if current trends continue.
This slow progress reflects not only the cultural and structural barriers that women still face in male-dominated fields, but also the variability of women’s participation across different regions and sectors. It is notable that women have significantly higher representation in areas such as biotechnology, food chemistry and pharmaceuticals, while fields such as mechanical engineering see much lower participation.
Another relevant aspect is the environment in which women inventors usually find themselves; They are more prevalent in academia than in the private sector, and often work in mostly male teams or on their own. This pattern underscores the need for policies and programs that not only encourage women’s entry into innovation, but also create more inclusive and equitable work environments.
As we commemorate International Intellectual Property Day, it is essential to recognize and address these disparities. Organizations such as WIPO are already implementing initiatives designed to promote greater inclusion of women in innovation, but it is clear that a sustained and scaled up effort is required. Implementing inclusive policies will not only benefit women, but also enrich the global innovation ecosystem, by ensuring that all creative minds, regardless of gender, are harnessed.
The road to gender equality in innovation and intellectual property is long and fraught with challenges, but with each step forward, we move one step closer to a future where everyone’s skills and talents are valued equally. It is imperative that we continue this path with determination and hope, seeking not only to achieve numerical parity, but also to ensure that every inventor, no matter their gender, has an equal chance of success and recognition in their field.
