On 8 March 2026, we celebrate International Women’s Day under the powerful theme Give To Gain. This year’s message reminds us that generosity, collaboration and shared support create lasting change. When women in the creative industries are empowered with knowledge, protection and opportunity, the entire sector benefits.

Across the UK and beyond, women are leading design studios, launching product brands, building creative agencies and shaping cultural conversations. From textile designers and illustrators to digital creators and craft entrepreneurs, female founders are driving innovation in every corner of the creative economy. Yet alongside these achievements, many continue to navigate distinct societal and business pressures.

In 2026, women running creative businesses often balance multiple roles, business leader, creator, marketer, mentor and, in many cases, primary caregiver. As detailed by British Business Bank, studies consistently highlight that women entrepreneurs face multiple intersecting challenges, including balancing care giving responsibilities, structural bias, and cultural barriers that limit opportunity and growth. Access to funding and investment remains uneven, and the visibility gap persists in certain sectors. The speed of digital replication, AI-generated content and online marketplaces has also intensified the risk of copying, making intellectual property awareness more critical than ever.

Research by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), shows that globally, women account for only about one in three entrepreneurs running established businesses, highlighting an ongoing gender gap in business ownership. Adding to that, the OECD gave a report stating, women entrepreneurs are about half as likely as men to secure business loans or external financing when starting or growing a company. Globally, women-led businesses receive only a small fraction of venture capital investment, with multiple reports identifying figures as low as 2% to 3% of all VC funding going to female founders. In the UK creative industries, there remains a significant gender pay gap, with women earning a median of £0.78 for every £1.00 earned by men. Women are also underrepresented in senior positions within many creative sectors, contributing to a visibility and leadership gap in business as detailed by DCMS Sectors Economic Estimates by Gov UK.

Creative Industries reported the creative sectors accounted for 2.4 million jobs added value to the UK economy in 2024–25, with 30% of jobs in the sector being self-employed, where IP is often a key business asset. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women are more likely than men to cite flexibility and work–life balance as key motivations for starting a business, highlighting how entrepreneurship can offer autonomy for those balancing caregiving responsibilities.

For women in design-led industries, ideas are currency. A print pattern, a product silhouette, a brand identity or a craft technique can represent months, sometimes years, of development. When those assets are copied, the impact is not only financial, it is deeply personal. The erosion of confidence, the stress of enforcement and the fear of speaking out can be significant barriers to growth.

Understanding and using IP rights, including copyright, design rights and trade marks, gives women the tools to protect their work, strengthen their negotiating position and build sustainable enterprises. IP is not simply a legal mechanism, it is a strategic business asset. It enables licensing opportunities, partnerships and long-term brand value. Most importantly, it reinforces the message that creative work has worth and deserves protection.

Empowerment through IP knowledge is especially important in community-driven creative sectors such as craft, textiles and maker businesses, where sharing skills and inspiration is part of the culture. Generosity of knowledge does not mean relinquishing ownership. Women should feel confident in both collaborating and protecting their originality.

At ACID, we believe that protecting creativity is fundamental to supporting female-led design businesses. In alignment with the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, we embraced the spirit of Give To Gain by gifting a year of ACID membership to a female business owner through our IWD competition. The response was inspiring, a testament to the strength and diversity of women across the creative industries.

We are delighted to announce that the winner is Four Otter Craft Studio, a knitting, crochet and craft studio dedicated to empowering others through knowledge and skill. Four Otter Craft Studio embodies the essence of Give To Gain, sharing expertise generously while building a distinctive creative identity. By equipping its community with practical skills and confidence, the studio demonstrates how creativity and collaboration can coexist with strong business foundations.

Nessa co-founder of Four Otter Studio, said, “We’re delighted to have won a year’s membership with ACID. As a studio built around skill-sharing and creativity, we know how much time and care goes into every design. As designers ourselves, we’re excited to learn more about protecting our own work and to encourage the makers and designers in our community to respect design ownership and protect their work too”.

Through ACID membership, Four Otter Studio will have access to guidance, resources and support to safeguard its intellectual property and continue growing with confidence.

Laura Newbold Breen, ACID CEO, said, “ACID always say “a united voice is a stronger voice” and international Women’s Day reminds us of the importance of unity and collective empowerment to achieve better things. Through ACID, the wonderful women in design and creative industries can feel confident in their IP by being part of a network of support, advice and resources”.

International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action. It is an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contributions of women in the creative industries while confronting the structural challenges that remain. Greater support for female entrepreneurs and business owners is essential to bridging the gender gap, ensuring that women-led businesses have the autonomy, resources and protection they need to succeed. By investing in knowledge, intellectual property awareness and strong professional communities, we help ensure that women creators are not only visible, but secure, valued and resilient in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

When we give, we gain. When women in design are protected and empowered, innovation flourishes and the whole creative sector rises together.

Find out more about how ACID membership can empower your creative business.

To support stronger IP laws, campaigning and integrity in design, please sign the ACID IP Charter.