Fairness Beyond Equality: Why Equity Is Key to a Just Society

In the four decades of my life, and over two in corporate experience, I have witnessed and experienced the impact of various biases and prejudices. While I have dealt with misogynistic or sexist bosses, clients and co-workers, I have also encountered opportunists who have taken advantage of such situations and climbed the ladder faster than anyone else. It is disheartening to see how these experiences have shaped our perceptions of fairness, equity, and equality. But I have also experienced extremely just, fair and kind bosses, clients and co-workers, some who went by in silence and others who stood for these values and spoke up when they saw injustice. Similar patterns are visible in institutions, housing societies, political organisations and even, not surprisingly, homes. 

The difference between equity and equality is often overlooked in our society. While equality is the idea of treating everyone the same, equity is about ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources to achieve the same outcomes. The problem with the concept of equality is that it assumes that everyone starts from the same place, which is far from the truth. The truth is that many people, especially those from marginalised communities, do not have the same access to resources, opportunities, and networks that others do.

As a result, the concept of equality has become a double-edged sword. While it aims to promote fairness, it has also led people to believe that everyone should be treated the same, even when their circumstances are vastly different. This has created a sense of entitlement among some segments of society, who feel that they are entitled to the same opportunities and resources, regardless of their situation. This sense of entitlement has, in turn, led to a lack of empathy and understanding for those who are less privileged.

Today, almost every segment of class, caste, creed, and gender calls themselves a victim. It seems that the focus is more on disproving real issues that need advocacy, while spending all effort trying to prove them wrong. This mindset has led to a lack of awareness and empathy for those who are actually victims of discrimination and bias. Instead of acknowledging and addressing their concerns, we are quick to dismiss them as being overly sensitive or overly emotional. .

At the same time, a certain privileged category of people raises their hands up and makes conclusions on their narrow reality that no such issues exist at all and that people 'choose' to live with their problems. This is a dangerous perspective to have because it perpetuates the idea that those who are struggling are responsible for their own problems. It absolves society of any responsibility for addressing systemic issues that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. Yesterday I came across a viral post of a man which two of my contacts reposted on Instagram, in which the guy interviews some female Ukrainian youth with the question as to why it was ok for females to leave the country in war while no male 18 years and older were allowed to and had to fight in war. He called them privileged, but worse was the tags and text post on this video which said 'the very foundation a woman stands upon, is built on the lives of sacrificial men' calling it a 'feminocentric society'. I'm not against his advocacy to raise awareness on male atrocities (never-mind that it is largely men who decide war and make rules on who leaves and stays), but why then say things to judge women and I quote them, "if you're a Ukrainian woman, you get to go to Stockholm, you get to go to Great Britain - You get to continue your HOT GIRL summer."

We need to acknowledge that our society is not fair or equitable. It is riddled with biases and prejudices that have been ingrained in us for generations. We cannot simply ignore these issues or dismiss them as being unimportant. We need to have the courage to confront them head-on and work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.

To do this, we need to start by listening to different points of view. We need to have open and honest conversations about the challenges that people face and the solutions that can help address them. We need to move beyond our own biases and perspectives and try to understand the experiences of others. Share your views without negating the views of others.

We also need to be more empathetic and compassionate towards those who are struggling. We need to recognise that everyone has their own struggles and challenges, and we need to be there to support and uplift one another. This means being willing to lend a helping hand, offering support and resources, and advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion.

In conclusion, we need to recognise that we are a selfish and self-centred generation that has lost its ability to care for others or even listen to different points of view. We need to work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society, one where everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources to achieve their goals. This requires us to be more empathetic, compassionate, and open-minded, to confront our biases and prejudices, and to work together towards a better future. Only then can we truly create a society that is fair and just for all. 

Equity vs. Equality: Why Fairness Is More Than Treating Everyone the Same
Picture credits: Canva text to image