Differences between equity and equality
- 2. Hello! I am Sanjana Zaman Roll-SN-044-023 5th semester 3rd year Course no.: 303 Course name: Population, poverty & inequality Department of population sciences University of Dhaka
- 3. Differences between equity and equality
- 4. Equity vs Equality Equity= Fairness Equality=Sam eness
- 5. Defining equity: The term equity refers to the system of justice and fairness, where there is an even- handed treatment of all the people. Equity demands fairness in every situation, i.e. whether it is the distribution of benefits or burdens. In this way, equity ensures that all the individuals are provided the resources they need to have access to the same opportunities, as the general population.
- 6. Defining equality: Equality is when everyone is treated in the same way, without giving any effect to their need and requirements. In finer terms, it is a state of getting the same quantity or value or status. It is a situation where each and every individual is granted same rights and responsibilities, irrespective of their individual differences.
- 7. Comparison Chart BASIS FOR COMPARISON EQUITY EQUALITY Meaning Equity is the virtue of being just, even- handed and impartial. Equality is described as a state, where everyone is at the same level. What is it? Means End Distribution Fair Even Recognizes Differences, and attempts to counteract unequal individual opportunities. Sameness and treats everyone as equal. Ensures People have what they need. Providing everyone, the same things.
- 8. The differences between equity and equality can be drawn clearly on the following grounds 1.Justness and fairness in the manner of treating individuals are called equity. Equality is what we call, the state where everyone is at the same level. 2.Equity is a process while equality is the outcome, i.e. equity is the necessary condition to be fulfilled to achieve latter. 3.While equity represents impartiality, i.e. the distribution is made in such a way to even opportunities for all the people. Conversely equality indicates uniformity, where everything is evenly distributed among people.
- 9. The differences between equity and………cont’d 4.In equity, the differences are recognized and efforts are made to counteract the manner in which individual opportunities are not equal. On the contrary, equality recognizes sameness and so it aims at treating everyone as equal. 5.In equity, all the people can have access to what they need. The equality, in contrast, all the people get the same thing, i.e. rights, resources and opportunities.
- 10. As we have seen, equity involves trying to understand and give people what they need to enjoy full, healthy lives. Equality, in contrast, aims to ensure that everyone gets the same things in order to enjoy full, healthy lives.
- 11. Let’s think for a moment about runners sprinting around an oval track during a competition.
- 12. The concept of equality would be like treat the runners in exactly the same way, ensuring that they all start at the same place on the track. On the surface, this seems fair. But we know that runners in the inside lanes have a distinct advantage over runners in the outer lanes because the distance they have to travel is shorter. As a result, equality – starting at the same place – doesn’t result in fairness.
- 13. The concept of equity, in contrast, would lead us to stagger the starting positions of the runners in order to offset the disadvantages facing those in the outer lanes. In this case, different or tailored treatment is a surer path to fairness and justice than the same treatment.
- 14. The same distinction between equity and equality can be seen when it comes to health and care. For example, Canada’s publicly-funded health care system is based on the concept of equality. It is designed to ensure that everyone has the same access to health care providers and services regardless of their ability to pay for care. Again, this seems fair. But it only goes so far in promoting justice because it ignores other factors , such as language, place of residence, sexual orientation and gender that can also act as barriers to care.
- 15. At the same time, ensuring the same access to care for everyone assumes that everyone has similar health status and similar health care needs. We know this is not the case. Some people, like the runners in the outside lanes of the track, live with social, political and economic disadvantages that contribute to poor health. As a result, they may need additional services and programs rather than just the standard ones.
- 16. ➜A perfect example of the practical demonstration of the difference between the two concepts, is the feminist movement. Now, if women demand they should be treated in the same way as men, that would not be possible – equality would not be possible – because women and men are different, and cannot be treated in exactly the same way. ➜However, if they demanded equity in how the world treats them, it would be a genuine demand, because now they are demanding that they be given the same rights as men have as human beings. It is equity that is desirable, not sameness.
- 17. Conclusion: Equity cannot be achieved, through treating all the people equally rather it can be achieved through treating all the people in an equitable manner, i.e. as per their circumstances. Like equity, equality aims to promote fairness and justice, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same things. Equity means giving everyone “access to the same opportunities. We must ensure equity before we can enjoy equality.” “Equity is the means; equality if the outcome”.
- 18. Thank You
Editor's Notes
- #15: This is equity: making sure that have what they need to achieve and maintain health and well-being. Once everyone enjoys a similar level of health and well-being, we can focus on preserving fairness by giving everyone the same things: this is equality.