From August 28 to 30, 2023, the
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Uganda
Registration Services Bureau (URSB), in collaboration with the Innovation and
Intellectual Property in Africa (AfrIPI), hosted the inaugural Women in IP
Conference for ARIPO Member States. The conference, held under the theme
“Enhancing Women’s Participation in IP,” aimed to empower women in the field of
intellectual property (IP) and promote their active involvement as creators and
innovators.
The conference was officially
opened by Her Excellency Ms. Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of the Republic
of Uganda. In her opening remarks, H.E. Alupo commended URSB for being the
first ARIPO Member State to host such a significant event focused on women’s
empowerment in intellectual property rights. She emphasized that empowering
women to assert their intellectual property rights is crucial for unlocking
their full potential as creators, innovators, and agents of change. This
sentiment resonates deeply within the context of fostering gender equality and
promoting inclusive economic growth across Africa.
Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, the ARIPO
Director General, noted that Empowering women and ensuring their participation
in the IP ecosystem is vital for economic growth. He called for ARIPO and its
cooperating partners to commit to promoting women in IP. “Our collaborative
efforts must ensure that women have equal opportunities to participate in and
benefit from the IP system. This includes promoting women's contributions to
innovation and creativity, supporting female inventors and creators, and
addressing the gender gap in IP rights acquisition and enforcement,” he said.
The opening ceremony was graced
by several high-profile delegates who underscored the importance of women’s
participation in intellectual property. Among them were Honourable Nobert Mao,
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; H.E. Mr. Jan Sadek, Ambassador
of the European Union to Uganda; Ambassador Francis Butagira, Chairman of the
URSB Board of Directors; and Ms. Mercy Kainobwisho, Registrar General at URSB.
Their presence highlighted a collective commitment from various sectors to
support women’s advancement in IP.
European Union Ambassador to
Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek, said: “The European Union has long championed gender
equality and women's empowerment in all spheres of life. In Intellectual
Property, we recognise that women's participation and leadership are essential
for innovation and creativity. The regional conference organised next week with
our support is a milestone in the right direction.”
The conference featured a series
of discussions aimed at identifying barriers that hinder women’s participation
in IP and exploring strategies to overcome these challenges. Workshops and
panel discussions provided platforms for sharing best practices, experiences,
and insights from successful women leaders in the field of intellectual
property.
Participants engaged with experts
who shared knowledge on how women can navigate the complexities of IP laws and
regulations while also advocating for policies that support gender equity
within this domain. The collaborative nature of this event allowed attendees to
network with peers from different countries, fostering an environment conducive
to mentorship and partnership.
The Women in IP Conference
represents a pivotal moment for ARIPO Member States as it sets a precedent for
future initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s roles within intellectual
property frameworks across Africa. By focusing on empowering women through education
and advocacy, this conference not only aims to elevate individual careers but
also seeks to contribute significantly to economic development throughout the
region.