Equality vs. equity?
The theme of International Women’s Day 2023 is Embracing Equity. But what is equity, how does it differ from equality and why are we talking about it now? The concepts of equality and equity both promote fairness, but there is an important difference. Equality is the goal of everyone receiving equal treatment, having equal access to opportunities and a fair share of the wealth being created in the economy. However, equity directly addresses the unique needs of each individual and treats each person differently according to those needs. But, somewhat ironically, the uneven treatment described by equity may be a prerequisite for achieving equality. Martina Hoffard explores the topic.