On the occasion of International Women’s Day, more than 80 intellectual property and innovation organizations from around the world have issued a joint message calling for stronger support for women’s participation in innovation and creativity, aligned with this year’s theme: “Rights, Justice, Action: For all women and girls.”
The initiative also includes the Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO) alongside leading international institutions such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the European Patent Office (EPO), and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The organizations emphasize that all women and girls should have equal rights to protect their inventions, creations, and innovations through accessible and effective intellectual property systems. Equal access to IP protection enables women creators and inventors to fully leverage their ideas and work, manage the economic benefits of their creativity, and receive recognition for their contributions across all sectors of the economy and society.
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in the innovation and intellectual property ecosystem. According to the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2025 report, only 18% of inventors listed in published international patent applications in 2024 were women, highlighting the need for stronger policies and initiatives to address existing inequalities.
Participating organizations commit to advancing actions that reduce barriers to accessing intellectual property systems, strengthening education and awareness for women creators, inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs, and promoting role models who will inspire future generations.