VICDOC Autumn 2023 - Magazine - Page 67
E
Providing everyone
the exact same resource
or opportunity doesn’t
mean that there is
necessarily an equal
or equitable outcome,
as the starting point
and requirements
for full participation
are different for
different people.
-
quity is more than equality. Equality
refers to providing the same
treatment and opportunity for all.
Equity goes beyond this, recognising
that we are not all the same, we don’t start
from the same place or require the same
things to live and work equitably in society.
Providing everyone the exact same resource
or opportunity, doesn’t mean that there is
necessarily an equal or equitable outcome,
as the starting point and requirements
for full participation are different for
different people.
There is a popular graphic for illustrating
equity that portrays three people standing
behind a fence with a ball game taking
place on the other side. One person is tall
enough to see over the fence, while the
other two people need to stand on one or
two boxes to see the game. This illustrates
that different people have different ‘starting
points’ and need different structures to
allow them to participate.
Women face a different set of barriers
and challenges at work than men do –
with decades of research and statistics
showing that these adversely affect their
participation, status, take-up of leadership
roles and pay. There is not one barrier or
challenge, but a systemic set of challenges.
Understanding this systemic nature is
crucial, because this means that there is not
one approach or solution that will work on
its own. Rather, we need a multi pronged
approach, that is realistic and sustainable
over a relatively long time frame.
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