It is important to first understand what “equity” means. The word “equity” and “equality” are often used as synonymous, but they are not. “Equity”, in its simplest terms as it relates to racial and social justice, means meeting communities where they are and allocating resources and opportunities as needed to create equal outcomes for all community members. Whereas, “Equality” means each individual or group of people is given the same resources and opportunities, regardless of their circumstances.

What is the difference? Simply put, “equity” recognizes each person has different circumstances and needs, meaning different groups of people need different resources and opportunities allocated to them in order to thrive and “equality” is giving everyone the exact same resources across the board, regardless of individual or groups of people’s actual needs or opportunities/resources already provided to them.[1]

[1] https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/equity-vs-equality/ (visited on 06.12.2022 at 11:07)

Equality vs. Equity

https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/equity-vs-equality/)

Equality is equal treatment, access, opportunity, and distribution of resources and services. No one receives more or less. This protects people against direct discrimination, but a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works out well in the real world. Not everyone has the same life circumstances or needs. Treating everyone “equally” – when they’re not equal in access, opportunity, or needs – fails to achieve real change.

Rather than simply not discriminating, equity is accommodating based on peoples’ experiences and unique needs. What someone in from Eastern Europe needs may differs compared to the needs of people from Western Europe.

Social equity is a process that applies to every area of society. It is, as defined as “the fair, just and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly or by contract; and the fair and equitable distribution of public services, and implementation of public policy; and the commitment to promote fairness, justice and equity in the formation of public policy.”[1]

Social equity is a flexible, needs-based process that recognizes inequalities and works toward fairness in every area of society including education, housing, healthcare, and more:

– Disability rights – there are laws all across the world that protect the rights of disable people to have access to public places, such as stores, hotels, restaurants, museums, theaters, and doctors’ offices.

– Health and healthcare – meaning that everyone can attain their full potential for health and well-being.

– Food security – defined as meaning that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.

Social equity matters because we want to live in a world where everyone has the opportunities and resources they need to thrive, where no one is discriminated against, and where everyone’s rights are protected, we need social equity. We won’t achieve that world by treating everyone the same because not everyone is the same. Trying to achieve equality through equality may seem like it would work, but it ignores both historical and existing oppression.[2]

[1] https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/what-is-social-equity/ (visited 06.12.2022 at 11:23).

[2] op. cit. https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/what-is-social-equity/ (visited 06.12.2022 at 11:35).