Equity vs Equality

Apoll Gray Consulting strives to contribute to global gender equality.  What does this mean?  Why is there resistence?  

We believe that much of the resistence comes from misunderstandings of what gender equality means.  

GENDER - is a social construct.   It referes to the social attributes and opportunties associated with being male, female and non-binary. It includes the conscious and unconscious stereotypes, expectations, and rules that govern how we live our lives.  These social constructs often give priviledge to some individuals and discrimate against others.

EQUALITY - refers to the equal rights, responsibilties and oppportunties of diverse groups of women, men, girls, boys and non-binary individuals.  Equality does not mean treating everyone the same, nor does it mean treating everyone differently - these are both equity.  Gender equality means that everyone is able to live to their full potential without socially constructed limitations.  Gender equality requires a transformation of how we value different members of society, how we define what it means to be a woman, a man or a non-binary individual.  

EQUITY - Equity is the process of treating people fairly.  Sometimes this means equal treatment (e.g. equal pay for equal work) sometimes this means differential treatment (e.g. special seating on public transportation for parents with young children)