Equality & Equity

Equality is a principle that implies equal treatment for all people, regardless of their characteristics or circumstances, and it is a human right.

Equity is the ability to administer justice impartially but consider the particularities of each case to avoid unfair sanctions. Equity can also be understood as the ability to apply the same rule to all people, considering their circumstances.

The difference between gender equality and gender equity is that the first is a provision that derives from a human right, while equity is a consideration of an ethical nature with which it is tried to apply measures that correct the historical imbalance between the genders. It could be said that gender equality is the ideal, and gender equity is the actions that are conducted to guarantee the fulfillment of that right.

Gender equality is a universal legal principle, while gender equity introduces an ethical component to ensure real equality that compensates for the inequality that the female gender carries in terms of political representation or the labor market.

Gender equity, which is a set of proposals and measures to correct inequalities between men and women, is a tool to achieve real equality in the enjoyment of rights, learning the reality, taking charge of existing inequality, and recognizing it at the level of social structure to reverse it and turn it into the right that we all have to equality and the recognition that we are all equally different with the same dignity and value.

To combat the negative effects of inequality, we must recognize institutionalized discrimination against women, which makes invisible the contributions they make to our society, as well as the construction of masculinity. The negative effects on women's lives are also adverse effects on the lives of all people in society.

Building a society with equal rights and opportunities for women and men has involved efforts and actions over the years, so that it is valued and promoted not only by public bodies, through interventions and investments, but also by individuals and communities. Such equality must be recognized as a human right, without that guarantee, there would be thousands of justifications to limit them based on sex, ethnicity, age, ability, or sexual orientation.

The world is full of meanings and as social beings, we are immersed in cultures that constantly transmit to us a whole series of feelings, ideas, and knowledge of reality. In addition, daily, people and their actions are categorized into specific groups in which we learn to behave according to socially established rules and norms. Later we transmit to the new generations all this cultural baggage. Social change for gender equality is fundamental, and the education of future generations is the foundation.

Therefore, from childhood, it is necessary to learn about equality, encourage and promote the assumption of responsibilities without taking gender into account.

The challenge for societies to generate change by recognizing existing inequalities in daily life, identifying inequalities, and mainstreaming gender equality in daily life in all areas of society is a process that everyone and we must all be part of creating a fairer society.

For this to be possible, it is necessary to implement new public policies, change existing ones by introducing equity criteria that balance inequalities between women and men, which is a necessary basis for achieving a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Although there are different degrees of progress, historically concerning gender equality there is still not full equality of opportunities between men and women, there is still a long way to go, especially in terms of strengthening state capacities for the effective implementation of public policies aimed at reducing gender gaps.

Achieving equal conditions and opportunities requires that people be above differences, and that gender is not taken as a differential category to separate, exclude or violate any person. Achieving this goal presupposes a process of change in the social, cultural, political, and economic norms of all societies.

Women and men are different, but the vision of both is very necessary for all areas of life. Equality is not only a social state that should be perpetuated, but it is also a matter of health and well-being; it is also an invaluable engine of economic growth, in addition to representing one of the pillars of any public development policy. The change for fairer relations and equal conditions, the transformation of social relations is the responsibility of the family, the educational system, the media, the government, it belongs to the whole society.

A change of consciousness is how true gender equality and equity can be achieved with a harmonious coexistence, it will take years, but it must start now, from the family nucleus, teach current and future generations that women are, in virtues, equal to man.

We need a more empathetic society where together, men and women, work for a more just, dignified coexistence and in which we have the necessary resources to develop our capacities and generate inclusive public programs and policies, where we all fit and can exercise leadership with confidence and security; it is an ethical obligation and a political commitment to human development.