IWD: Equality versus Equity

This International Women's Day we are encouraged to #EmbraceEquity. For some people that means equal opportunity, but is that right? It might be if everyone started with the same advantages in life. Unfortunately they don't.

So, what's the difference between equity and equality - and why is it important to understand, acknowledge and value this? This piece from the IWD website gives a great insight into why we need a global movement for equity, and why equality can "be exclusionary, rather than inclusive".

The article starts with definition of each word. "Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

"Let's hear from Belgium-based YouTuber Tamara Makoni, founder of Kazuri Consulting as she clearly explains the difference between equality and equity - and why it truly matters to #EmbraceEquity.

"Equity can be defined as giving everyone what they need to be successful. In other words, it's not giving everyone the exact same thing. If we give everyone the exact same thing, expecting that will make people equal, it assumes that everyone started out in the same place - and this can be vastly inaccurate because everyone isn't the same...

"Inequity affects many people, but most commonly historically it has marginalized communities such as women, people of color, disabled people, the economically disadvantaged, and those from the LGBTQ+ community."

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