Blog of Olga Tzortzatou Nanopoulou, SI Representative to the UN in Geneva.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) hosted its inaugural IPGAP (Intellectual Property Gender Action Plan) Global Research Experts Meeting in November 2024, bringing together leading researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address pressing issues related to gender and diversity in intellectual property (IP) and innovation. The meeting aimed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and diverse groups in the field of IP and innovation since, despite incremental progress, significant gaps remain.
The Untapped Potential for Innovation
During the meeting it was stressed are significantly underrepresented in innovation, a problem shaped by deep-rooted societal norms, biases, and systemic barriers. The meeting sheds light on the reasons why fewer women become inventors, uncovering patterns in education, family dynamics, workplace treatment, and societal structures that hinder women’s ability to contribute to innovation. A key factor begins in childhood, where the way interests and skills are nurtured differs between boys and girls. Parents play a crucial role in shaping children’s aspirations, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. However, societal expectations often lead parents to encourage boys more than girls in areas like technology and engineering. For instance, when fathers work in STEM, their sons are more likely to follow similar paths, while daughters receive less support to pursue those interests.
Despite more women entering STEM fields today, these traditional patterns persist, limiting the exposure girls receive to the tools and experiences needed for innovation. Family dynamics also influence girls’ opportunities to engage in innovative fields. Studies show that having an inventor parent, particularly a father, increases the likelihood of a child becoming an inventor. However, boys benefit from this far more than girls. Girls with brothers may face additional barriers, as resources and attention are often distributed unequally within families, favouring sons over daughters. These subtle yet impactful differences contribute to a gender imbalance that begins at home and carries into professional life.
Barriers to Success
Access to resources plays another crucial role in shaping who becomes an inventor. Children from wealthier families, often white males, tend to have better access to advanced technologies, mentorship, and educational opportunities that foster innovation. In contrast, children from lower-income or minority backgrounds, particularly girls, often lack these opportunities. This phenomenon, known as “Lost Einsteins,” highlights the untapped potential of individuals who could contribute to innovation but are excluded due to limited access to resources. Bridging this gap requires systemic efforts to ensure equal access to education, mentorship, and technology for all children.
It was also stressed that after women enter the workplace, they face additional challenges that restrict their ability to succeed in innovation. Even when women perform at the same level as men, they are often overlooked for high-profile assignments or leadership roles. They are frequently paid less than their male counterparts for similar work, and their contributions are undervalued. For example, women are often assigned to less visible roles or excluded from major decision-making projects, which limits their career advancement and recognition. This undervaluation not only stifles individual careers but also prevents society from benefiting from their potential contributions.
Studies show that when gender is hidden, the recognition of men’s and women’s work is more balanced. However, when gender is visible, women often receive fewer citations for their work and face more critical evaluations. This creates a systemic disadvantage where women are judged more harshly and their achievements are undervalued. In addition, men are often rewarded for their potential, while women must prove their capabilities through measurable accomplishments. This uneven playing field discourages many women from pursuing innovation careers and perpetuates existing inequalities.
Interventions to Combat Disparity
One of the most important take home messages of this meeting was that understanding the reasons behind these disparities is critical to creating change. Possible interventions include mentorship programs for young women, policies that ensure equal access to STEM education, and workplace practices that provide fair opportunities for recognition and advancement. Policy changes was suggested that are also essential to fostering gender equity in innovation. For example, anonymising peer reviews for research and academic evaluations can help reduce biases in how work is judged. Organisations must also prioritise assigning women to visible, impactful projects and ensure fair pay and recognition for their contributions. Mentorship and professional development programs can further support women inventors by equipping them with the skills and networks needed to succeed.
The impact of these gender disparities extends beyond individual careers. When women are excluded or undervalued in innovation, society misses out on diverse perspectives and groundbreaking ideas. This loss of potential stifles creativity and slows progress in fields that could benefit from greater inclusivity. Promoting gender diversity in innovation is not just a matter of fairness but a necessity for fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem.