Intellectual property (IP) is a vital tool for empowering women in business and creativity.  

The percentage of female inventors named in patent applications, and female applicants named in trade mark applications has been slowly increasing globally over the past five years. However, women still face several obstacles in their careers, including gender bias, discrimination, lack of representation, cultural and societal expectations and lack of access to resources. By leveraging the power of IP, women can overcome these challenges and achieve success in their respective fields. 

As women, there are several strategies that we can adopt to further our businesses, innovations, and ideas despite the obstacles we may face. Here are some suggestions: 

1. Build a strong network: Networking is essential for business success, and women can benefit from building relationships with other women in their field who can provide support, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration. 
2. Seek out mentorship and sponsorship: Women can benefit from seeking out mentorship and sponsorship from more experienced colleagues, both within their organizations and outside of them. A mentor can provide guidance and support, while a sponsor can help to open doors to new opportunities. 
3. Develop a strong personal brand: Building a strong personal brand can help to increase visibility and recognition within the industry. Women can focus on building a strong online presence, participating in industry events, and seeking out opportunities to share their expertise and insights. 
4. Protect your IP: IP rights provide legal protection for women's innovative and creative ideas. 

IP protection prevents others from using or appropriating women's ideas without permission, ensuring that they receive proper recognition and compensation for their work. 

IP can be a powerful tool for economic empowerment, allowing women to generate income through licensing and commercialization of their creations. This can help women to achieve financial independence, support their families, and contribute to their communities. IP allows women to turn their ideas into valuable assets that can generate revenue and increase their economic security. 

IP protection can also provide women with greater recognition and visibility for their work, which can help to increase their influence and impact in their respective fields. By protecting their innovative and creative ideas, women can gain a competitive edge in the job market and advance their careers and businesses.   

But how do I protect my ideas? - Consult with an IP practitioner to establish what rights you have and how you can start the process of protecting them. Often, the first consultation is not charged which allows you to make informed decisions regarding the protection of your IP.  

Overall, the key is to be proactive, persistent, and strategic in pursuing your business and IP goals, while also seeking out support and resources along the way.