INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY #EMBRACEEQUITY

Equity is not just nice; it is a must. A focus on gender equity must be part of every society’s DNA, and it is critical to understand the difference between fairness and equality.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day campaign aims to get the world talking about why “equal opportunity is no longer enough.”

Equality versus equity, what’s the difference?

Equity and equality are interchangeable, but fairness and equality are inherently different concepts.

So, what is the difference between equity and equality, and why is it important to understand, recognize and value this?

Equality: This means that each individual or group of people receives the same resources or opportunities.

Equity: Recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to achieve an equal outcome.

In other words, you are giving everyone different things. If we offer them the same, expecting that to make people equal, it assumes that everyone started at the same place, and this can be inaccurate because only some are equal!

The concept of “fairness” can be misleading, as “fair” means everyone receives the same. We have been taught this as children, but “fairness” only works when everyone is equal.

So, make it your mission to teach your friends, family, colleagues, and community about the need for fairness.