The EUIPO joins more than 80 intellectual property (IP) and innovation offices from around the world in issuing a Joint Message marking International Women’s Day 2026. In line with this year’s theme: “Rights, Justice, Action: For all women and girls” IP offices worldwide reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing equality and inclusion for women and girls in innovation.

Why it matters

Women remain underrepresented across the IP ecosystem, facing barriers in accessing, using and benefiting from IP rights. Advancing equality in innovation and creativity is not only a matter of fairness but also drives sustainable economic and societal progress. Through this Joint Message, we renew our commitment to collective action.

The key messages of the Joint Message include:

• Upholding equal rights in IP, ensuring equal access and benefit from IP systems without barriers, and visibly recognising female innovators and creators;

• Advancing justice in innovation, by addressing structural imbalances and unlocking the untapped potential of women’s participation in IP;

• Taking concrete action, through strengthened policies, education, visibility, access to technology and better data to support measurable progress.

In line with its Strategic Plan 2030, the EUIPO promotes inclusiveness across the Office, from its internal workforce to its European and international cooperation activities. As an inclusive employer, the Office is supported by an Equal Opportunities Officer and a Committee on Diversity. At EU level, the EUIPO maps barriers, outreach initiatives, and opportunities to promote a more inclusive European IP system. It does so through close cooperation with EUIPN experts from national/regional IP offices and user associations through the Virtual Community ‘ECP5 Inclusive IP Landscape’.

The Office also contributes to programmes of other EU institutions supporting women leadership and entrepreneurship, ensuring that IP is embedded in broader innovation initiatives. Internationally, the EUIPO is working with like-minded partners to shape an IP Alliance on Inclusiveness, aimed at expanding opportunities for women and girls to equally access, use and benefit from the IP system through mentorship, awards and studies. Together with global partners, the EUIPO remains committed to building a more inclusive IP ecosystem for all women and girls.

Source: International Women’s Day joint message on inclusivity in intellectual property (IP) - EUIPO