EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES BY THE COMPANIES AND

1  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMMISSION (CIPC)

COMMUNICATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA

_______________

1  Introduction

1.  The delegation of South Africa submits this communication to highlight the progress achieved by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) in promoting women's participation, leadership and empowerment within the intellectual property (IP) system.

2.  These initiatives, implemented during the 2024–2025 financial year, reflect South Africa's commitment to advancing gender equality in innovation and IP, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ongoing discussions of the Council for TRIPS on Women and Innovation in Intellectual Property.

3.  Through targeted programmes and international collaborations, CIPC has strengthened national capacity and contributed to a more inclusive global IP ecosystem that ensures women's full and effective participation in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

4.  It is hoped that this communication will help build on existing encouraging work undertaken by WTO Members to promote women's economic empowerment, particularly, in areas related to innovation and intellectual property. Through initiatives such as the Trade and Gender Action Plan and cooperation with institutions like the World Bank, the WTO has sought to raise awareness of the links between trade, gender, and innovation. It has also supported Members in developing gender‑responsive trade and IP policies, generating disaggregated data, and incorporating gender perspectives into technical assistance and capacity-building programmes. These efforts acknowledge that empowering women entrepreneurs, researchers, and creators is integral to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

5.  Within the Council for TRIPS, Members have shared national and regional experiences that highlight how intellectual property frameworks can be used to foster women's participation and leadership in innovation. South Africa has reported targeted programmes through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) aimed at increasing women's engagement in the formal IP system, including mentorship, awareness, and training initiatives. The United States of America has showcased the USPTO's Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium, while Canada and Members of the LDCs Group have emphasized the importance of linking IP, innovation, and microfinance to support women-led MSMEs. These initiatives, complemented by joint efforts such as the WTO–WIPO Joint Solutions Lab on Empowering Women-led MSMEs and the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, demonstrate the expanding recognition of IP as a tool for inclusive economic participation.

2  NATIONAL INITIATIVES

2.1  Women in IP Symposium and "She is IP" Campaign

6.  The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), initiated and hosted the first Women in IP Symposium as a virtual event. This inaugural session was followed by two in-person editions, with the fourth symposium convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in early 2025. Building on the momentum of these successful engagements, the CIPC is advancing its commitment to gender equity in innovation through the forthcoming "She is IP" campaign, scheduled for launch in 2026.

7.  The campaign seeks to celebrate, empower, and elevate women in intellectual property by enhancing visibility, promoting leadership opportunities, and fostering participation in innovation‑driven sectors. Its key objectives include recognising women's contributions to IP creation and protection, strengthening professional networks, and encouraging young women to consider careers in IP and related disciplines. The anticipated outcomes of this initiative include increased representation of women in the IP ecosystem, improved access to mentorship, and the cultivation of an inclusive innovation culture that supports sustainable economic growth.

8.  Collectively, these initiatives have provided influential platforms for women from legal, scientific, and creative industries to exchange ideas, share professional experiences, and showcase their pivotal roles in innovation and IP-intensive sectors. They have also inspired emerging professionals and students to pursue careers in intellectual property and innovation management, while fostering enduring networks that promote mentorship, collaboration, and advocacy for gender equality within the broader IP landscape.

2.2  Reference Guide for Small Law Firms

9.  To advance equitable access to IP information and tools, CIPC developed a Reference Guide for Small Law Firms, designed particularly to support women-owned legal practices and small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs).

10.  The guide provides accessible and practical insights on IP registration, commercialization, and enforcement, thereby enabling underrepresented groups to better protect and benefit from their innovations.

2.3  Upcycling of Counterfeit Goods Project

11.  CIPC initiated an innovative Upcycling of Counterfeit Goods Project, which focuses on transforming confiscated counterfeit goods into marketable products, with an emphasis on empowering women-owned SMMEs.

12.  This project demonstrates how IP enforcement can promote sustainability, inclusivity and economic empowerment, contributing to both gender equality and circular economy objectives.

3  INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

3.1  G20 Proposal on Women and IP

13.  CIPC contributed to South Africa's G20 proposal on Women and IP, reinforcing the integration of gender perspectives into IP policy and governance at the international level.

14.  This engagement underscored South Africa's leadership in promoting inclusivity and collaboration within global IP policy dialogues.

3.2  Collaboration with ChIPs (Chiefs in Intellectual Property)

15.  In partnership with ChIPs, a global network of women leaders in technology, law and policy, CIPC participated in a series of workshops focused on mentorship, leadership development and professional advancement.

16.  These collaborations strengthened CIPC's role in supporting gender diversity and global capacity-building within the IP community.

3.3  USPTO led IP Offices Global Mentoring Pilot Programme

17.  South Africa played an active role in the WIPO Global Mentoring Pilot Programme, connecting women professionals across jurisdictions to build skills, share expertise and expand professional networks.

18.  Building on the success of the pilot phase, South Africa, through CIPC, offered to host and coordinate the Global Mentoring Programme for the 2025–2026 cycle, further enhancing global cooperation and mentorship for women in IP.

4  STRATEGIC VALUE AND IMPACT

19.  Collectively, these initiatives position the CIPC as a thought leader in fostering gender equality within the intellectual property system, both regionally and globally.

20.  The initiatives contribute directly to:

·_              Capacity-building for women innovators and entrepreneurs;

·_              Policy integration of gender considerations within IP systems;

·_              Economic empowerment through IP-driven entrepreneurship; and

·_              Sustainable development, consistent with the SDGs and WIPO–WTO cooperation frameworks.

21.  Through these actions, South Africa demonstrates how national IP institutions and offices can operationalise inclusivity and equality within the global IP architecture.

22.  Furthermore, the collection and analysis of reliable data on women's participation in the IP system provides critical insights for policy development and programme design. Gender‑disaggregated IP data enables evidence-based decision-making, allowing targeted interventions that support women innovators, address structural barriers, and strengthen participation in knowledge-intensive industries. By identifying trends and gaps in women's access to IP protection, this data helps to inform strategies that drive inclusive economic growth. For developing countries, such informed policymaking is essential for maximising innovation potential, promoting equitable participation in the economy, and advancing sustainable industrial development.

5  WAY FORWARD

23.  CIPC will continue to advance and expand initiatives that enhance women's participation in IP creation, protection and commercialization.

24.  Looking ahead, there is scope to enhance coordination among WTO bodies by strengthening the TRIPS Council's role as a central forum for sharing experiences and developing best practices on the use of intellectual property to advance women's empowerment. By serving as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and data exchange, the TRIPS Council can help Members consolidate national efforts, identify synergies with related initiatives, and design coherent approaches that make the IP system more accessible and responsive to women innovators and entrepreneurs.

25.  South Africa invites Members to:

·_              Share national experiences and best practices on promoting gender equality in IP;

·_              Support the systematic collection of sex-disaggregated data on IP use; and

·_              Explore opportunities for collaboration under the TRIPS Council and WIPO frameworks to strengthen gender-responsive IP policies.

26.  South Africa reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the IP system contributes equitably to innovation, inclusion and sustainable economic growth.

__________