Oriakhoba (2020)
Contents
Source Details
| Oriakhoba (2020) | |
| Title: | Working around the Gender Gap in Intellectual Property Regimes: Empowerment of Women Beadworkers through Open, Inclusive Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Author(s): | Desmond Osaretin Oriakhogba |
| Year: | 2020 |
| Citation: | Desmond Osaretin Oriakhogba. (2020). Working around the Gender Gap in Intellectual Property Regimes: Empowerment of Women Beadworkers through Open, Inclusive Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. OpenAir Workign Paper 23. |
| Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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| About the Data | |
| Data Description: | Participant observations notes; interview responses |
| Data Type: | Primary and Secondary data |
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| Cross Country Study?: | No |
| Comparative Study?: | No |
| Literature review?: | Yes |
| Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
"This case study explored the empowerment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property (IP) dynamics at play in the work of a group of women beadworkers participating in the Woza Moya project of the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The study found that open, collaborative, and inclusive innovation practices, and social entrepreneurship modalities, appeared to generate significant empowerment for the craftspeople, regardless of the fact that the IP system does not offer women easily accessible economic benefits. Inclusive innovation and social entrepreneurship thus appear, in this case, to be effective mechanisms for working around the “IP gender gap” that is set forth in this paper."
Main Results of the Study
The study examines gender inequality in South African IP regimes looking at the example of Zulu beadworkers. Specifically, Traditional Cultural Expression is at focus of the research. The author finds that the protection of female beadworkers’ indigenous art under trademark and copyright law is inhibited by a lack of knowledge, financial, and infrastructural resources to protect their creations. Particularly, the division between ‘female’ and ‘male’ art creations is represented in the protection criteria, rendering ‘female’ art less accessible for protection. Further, the study suggests that institutional gender division hinder the ‘promotion of rural African innovation’. Overall, the author concludes that systemic and institutional barriers significantly determine the gender divide in accessing IP protection for traditional art.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
The author suggests that “social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation are effective mechanisms for working around the IP gender gap and empowering rural African women crafters”. Especially emphasised are the recognition of women’s craft in the IP system, adequate compensation, and knowledge exchange.
Coverage of Study
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