By Adebambo Adewopo SAN

Once again, the global community marks World Intellectual Property (IP) Day today, 26 April 2023. In marking this year’s World IP Day, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), UN agency for IP, has turned the theme on the jewels of the world – Women. Significantly, WIPO’s visions of IP have continued to explore the boundaries and ascendancy of

creativity and innovation in the shaping of global order. One necessary site in the IP and development dynamics is the concept of gender parity.

The theme ‘Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity’ acknowledges women in a special way – a sustained realisation of the role of women in society. It is a concrete reminder of the integrity of our common humanity that thrives in its diversity and completeness. Creativity and innovation know no bounds, neither do they have tribe, gender or colour. For the most part, the role of women in society is both historic and epic. Historic because the pages of history have always been written on women, of diverse backgrounds, who through their stories, are never to be forgotten for generations to come. Epic because the same history has revealed the catalogs of women who through their landmark creations have contributed to the flourishing of society; women whose geniuses have changed the world in different fields of human endeavour- the arts and entertainment, science, technology, industry, and more.

Coming on the heels of celebrating the youths last year, this year, and appropriately so, recognizes the global momentum that women have garnered since the beginning of the millennium, especially since Beijing. Clearly, the world’s women have come of age – from the industrial age to the present knowledge era. Since the first patent obtained by a woman over two centuries ago, women have steadily showed up in the arena of innovation, creativity and all facets of human development. Their voice has continued to resonate. Women have been champions of history as they have been casualties of war and the inhumanity of mankind. The global debate on women and the pervasive culture of gender bias needs more concrete action. In this regard, the focus of WIPO once again draws global attention beyond rhetoric.

It reinforces existing global advocacy for gender inclusiveness and creates an‘opportunity to celebrate all talented women around the world’ who continue to unleash boundless energy and ingenuity everywhere. Only last month, the UN Women, the global agency specially created for promoting gender equality and empowerment of women, in the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), reaffirmed, among others, the ‘role of technology and innovation, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women’ This is indicative of the spirit of an inclusive and ‘connected world for women and girls in all their diversity.’

An important factor also lies in the numerical strength of women, who account for half of the global population, and by that also account for a significant share of the global stock of talents. This has made the acceleration of women’s ingenuity even more compelling. Of the current world population of over 8 billion, the female population of about 3.9 billion represents about 49.5%. A similar global ratio is reflected in Nigeria with female population of 107.5 million, representing about 50% of over 200 million.

This numeral strength matters as it does in its representation and the weight of the number in the global ensemble of talents that exists around us. In different regions, the knowledge landscape is replete with women creators, inventors and entrepreneurs who are making ground-breaking contribution and shaping the world through their ‘imagination, ingenuity, and hard work.’ From the invention of the dishwasher in homes (Josephine Cochran); the making of solar cells, fiber optic cables, portable fax machines, touch-tone telephones, caller ID and call waiting (Shirley Jackson); the development of Global Positioning System (GPS), a precursor to the navigation system we enjoy today (Gladys West); the first discovery of the DNA structure (Rosalind Franklin); to the development of stem cell isolation technique that has spurned advances in oncology (Ann Tsukamoto); and many other revolutionary inventions, women have always contributed to the uplift of the society.

Generations in the fields of art, music, film, and television have featured iconic women brands and characters too numerous to mention. Nigeria and Africa have consistently remained at the cutting of creativity. From the first Nigerian woman author, Flora Nwapa to Chimamanda Adichie and many others, the roll call is extensive.

Prodigious talents in the ilk of Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Sade, Tiwa Savage, Asa, and a flourishing company of Nollywood and music thespians fill contemporary global stage and screen. Entertainment business has produced the likes of Mo Abudu, Bolanle Austen-Peters, Peace Ayim Osigwe, and Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, just to mention a few.

Those are women of irrepressible genus who have continued to make their marks and accelerate Nigeria’s creative economy. Nigerian women have equally occupied the innovation space across different sectors – scientific, biotech, financial services and fintech, health, education, computing and frontier technologies, and more.

However, all the accomplishments are not without challenges. As WIPO has noted, women continue to face the ‘challenges of accessing the knowledge, skills, resources, and support they need to thrive’. The challenge of access to knowledge is a global complex that has remained a test of intellectual property in its ability to maintain a strategic balance between protecting and accessing creativity and innovation and their associated bundle of legal rights.

To be continued tomorrow

Professor Adewopo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is a former Director General, Nigeria Copyright Commission; distinguished IP Chair at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Partner, L & A Legal Consultants.