WORLD IP DAY 2018

Since 2010, April 26^th has been designated World Intellectual Property (IP) day by WIPO member states. It was also on this day that the WIPO Convention came into force. The aim of the World IP day is to discover and further understand "the role of intellectual property rights in encouraging innovation and creativity".

This year's theme is tagged "Powering Change:  Women in Innovation and Creativity" and aims to celebrate "the brilliance, ingenuity, curiosity and courage of women who are driving change in our world and shaping our common future". 

Over the years, women have continued to make valuable contributions to medicine, science and technology, as well as niche areas such as astrophysics, nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence.  There are also many women in the creative industries. These women have broken boundaries and are attaining greater heights in creative art, literature, movies, music, designs, fashion and more. They are influencing change through their stage and TV productions, music, writings, designs and products; their "go-getting" attitude inspires the creative drive among young women around the world.

Today there are more women winning awards in the creative industries and sitting at the helms of affairs of various businesses. The achievements of such women deserve to be recognised in their own right and not just compared with those of their male counterparts. More so, there should greater involvement, contribution and collaboration among both sexes towards achieving increased innovation, global change and development.

This year's celebration reflects on "how the IP system can support innovative and creative women (and indeed everyone) in their quest to bring their amazing ideas to market."  Are you a female inventor, creator, industry executive or worker; with a passion for inspiring change? The #WorldIPDay is all about you. The IP Journal will be celebrating renowned and upcoming inventors, creators and business owners who have invested in making impact around the world. If you know someone who should be featured or would like to be featured yourself, you can share this by commenting below or sending a mail.  This will be part of the conversation in celebration of #WorldIPDay on April 26, 2018.