BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
“In every area and behind every scene, there are talented female innovators. But, why isn’t there enough focus on female creatives. Why does female talent still have very little visibility in our industry? And more importantly, why we don’t focus on the talent-side of female talent, asks By Laura Visco, in a piece she produced under the title “To Uplift Female Creatives, We Need to Actually Discuss Their Creativity,” and appeared at ADWEEK website.
If the women behind those amazing campaigns are still not visible enough, is it fair to say that our overall gender approach might be a bit gender biased, too?, she repeated her question. As to her, women in creativity need to be valued more for their skills rather than the gap they fill for agencies trying to diversify
True, women around the world still face some form of discrimination and inequalities for the reason of gender identity. Millions of women and girls still have less access to education, jobs, and equal pay for equal work, social, economic, and political rights. Owing to this, women’s success rate and their representation in many educational fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and professional career is very limited.
Even those females, who can break the stereotypes, succeed and develop innovative ideas that are crucial to solve problems and bring about tangible outcomes, face challenges in practicing their works at the desired level or their competencies have been underestimated because of being women.
According to a report launched by the World Bank in 2022, nearly 2.4 billion women globally do not have the same economic rights as men; and women still have only three quarters of the legal rights afforded to men — an aggregate score of 76.5 out of a possible 100.
In a similar manner, a report published by UN Women in 2022 stated that the world is not on the right track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Achieving full gender equality is still centuries away at current rates; and at the current rate of progress, it could take close to 300 years to achieve full gender equality
Ironically, despite the disproportionate effect on women’s lives and livelihood from the global pandemic, many countries reformed their laws in 2021 to take much-needed steps towards advancing women’s economic inclusion. However, the achieved results are insignificant or minimal.
It seems that gender equality, unless it is on papers, remains an unclosed chapter in every country of the world. In fact, even though it is not sufficient, several activities have been carried out to promote more inclusive environment, empower women, and level the playing field for the benefit of all. As a result, many have proved their capabilities and intelligence through hard work, breaking the long attached prejudices and beliefs.
Every year on April 26th, the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day is observed. And this year, World Intellectual Property (WIP) was marked under the theme: ‘Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity.’ And this year’s theme celebrates the ‘can do’ attitude of women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs worldwide and their ground-breaking work.
Ethiopia also marked the day with various events held at the Science Museum. “We should work together to increase the role and participation of women in the field of creativity and innovation,” said Women and Social Affairs Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) said that women engaged in various fields of work in our country are playing a significant role in generating new innovations, creating job opportunities, contributing and making use of research results that have social benefits and solve problems.
However, according to the Minister, in relation to intellectual property, women’s creative works have been exploited; and they are subject to various technology related gender based assaults. In order to protect women from such challenges and benefitting from their role in the sector, their potential ingenuity and talent, coordination should be further strengthened.
Mentioning the innumerable benefits of the existing gender inclusive implementation strategy that was devised with the target to provide legal recognition and protection for women’s creative works, as well as to make the works accessible to the general public in organized manner, the Minister stressed that her Ministry will exert utmost efforts to the success of the strategy.
She also vowed to back the necessary support for the activities carried out to promote and increase the contribution of women in accelerating innovation and creativity. Innovation Technology State Minister Huria Ibrahim (PhD) on her part said that the government, understanding the economic rewards that creativity, innovation and technology yields to build a digital economy and benefiting citizens including women, has invested a lot and devised new policies and strategies.
Likewise, the Ministry is also discharging its responsibilities by carrying out reform works, providing technical support and coordinating the process for the successful implementation of the program. According to the State Minister, the day is marked around the world by commemorating global female innovators, idea generators, entrepreneurs and their pioneer creative works around the world under the principle of “We can do”. “The celebration, I hope, will create a good opportunity for Ethiopian female owner of creative works, entrepreneurs,” she added.
The former Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority Director General Ermias Yemaneberhan (PhD) on his part said that the day is celebrated every year with various activities to raise public awareness and bring about a change in attitude towards intellectual property, creativity and innovation.
Enhancing the creative potential of women and encouraging them through registering their intellectual creations with IP ownership is necessary to increase the creative potential of women and encourage them for further efforts, as to him.
The International Intellectual Property Day was observed in Ethiopia by holding various programs including panel discussion and an exhibition showcasing the creative works of youth and women. The program was organized by the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Labor and Skills, the National ID Program Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Development Bank and the Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurship Association.
A discussion paper, titled “Women and Intellectual Property in Ethiopia” was presented by Tigist Bogale, Executive Director of the Authority’s Trademark Office, and a discussion was held by panelists. The World Intellectual Property Day was marked for the 21st time globally and for the 20th time in Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 4 MAY 2023
