The difference between gender equity and equality

Gender equity and gender equality may sound alike. And people may think that by solving one, they are solving the other. However, the difference between gender equity and equality is critical:

Gender equity: think "equitable"

• People face different challenges based on gender, so they are provided with support and resources to overcome those barriers. Equity is about fairness and giving people what they need to succeed.

Gender equality: think "equal"

• Everybody, regardless of gender, deserves the same rights and access to the opportunities, resources and benefits of their community. Equality is about treating everyone the same.

Why knowing the difference between gender equity and equality matters

Understanding the difference between gender equity and equality is more than just semantics. It helps identify what is needed to close the gender gap for girls and women in areas like education and economics.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the gender gap — the social, political, economic, cultural and educational disparities between men and women—narrowed by 0.1 per cent between 2023 and 2024. At the current rate of progress, full parity—when things are equal and equitable – will take 134 years.

That means generations of girls like Sultana and Maliha in Bangladesh will grow up without equal and equitable opportunities.

Education is one of the most powerful places where equity and equality intersect and where meaningful change can occur.

Quickly. Sustainably. Permanently.

• Empowering teenage girls in Bangladesh: Sultana and Maliha are challenging gender norms in their village as part of Bangladesh's Girl Power Group.

The difference between gender equity and equality in education

An estimated 130 million girls between the ages of 6 and 17 are out of school worldwide. Those living in poverty are far more likely to miss out on an education than their more affluent peers.

To break this cycle, two things must happen:

1. Children must have the opportunity to attend school. Ensuring classroom doors and desks are open and welcoming to all children. This is equality.
2. A ll children—regardless of their starting point—are given the resources needed to rise above unique barriers that might hold them back. This is equity.

Gender equality in education: focus on sameness

Outside the classroom doors, children may face bias or prejudice for a variety of reasons, such as gender or financial status.

Inside the classroom doors, none of it matters.

Girls. Boys. Rich. Poor. It’s all irrelevant. Gender equality in education seeks to ensure that all children are treated the same. That means:

• Everyone uses the same textbooks.
• Everyone participates in the same lessons.
• Everyone learns from the same teachers.
• Everyone is treated fairly.

Equality aims to ensure no child is at a disadvantage. Who they are, where they’re from, or family income should have no bearing whatsoever. All are welcome to learn.

Gender equity in education: focus on fairness

Gender equity acknowledges that some children may need additional support to reach the same outcomes as everyone else.

For girls facing discrimination or living in poverty or rural areas, this could represent:

• Providing safe, reliable transportation to and from school
• Supplying hygiene kits of reusable pads, washcloths, soap and underwear to help girls stay healthy while at school
• Offering mentorship programs or counseling to help children bypass any social or cultural obstacles
• Having tools such as wheelchairs and ramps to make school accessible for children with disabilities

Equity levels the playing field. Barriers are acknowledged and addressed. Every child—regardless of circumstance— has the support they need to succeed. Always.

• Protecting the right to education: Education, like food, clothing and shelter, is considered a universal right. Yet, many challenges remain to protect that right for millions of children worldwide.

The difference between gender equity and equality in economics

Economically, there is still a gap between men and women, the work being done and how much they are getting paid for it. Consider these statistics:

• Approximately 2.4 billion women of working age don’t have the same working rights as men. On a scale where 100 represents total parity, women score 76.5.
• Nearly 60% of women’s employment globally occurs within informal or vulnerable employment. In low-income countries, that number jumps to over 90%.

Overall, women are less likely to participate in the labour market than men (62 per cent vs 91 per cent). If they do, there’s a strong possibility they won’t receive equal pay for equal work under the law. If women participated in the economy on par with men and enjoyed the same economic empowerment, an extra$28 trillion (USD) would be injected into global GDP.

Gender equality in economics: focus on sameness

Economic opportunity is often shaped—or hindered—by factors outside of an individual’s control, such as gender, income level, access to education, geographic location or family responsibilities.

In a truly equal economy, those factors don’t determine who gets hired, paid fairly or promoted. Formal or informal barriers to participation are removed and basic rights are upheld for men and women alike:

• Equal access to jobs and careers.
• Equal pay for the same work being done.
• Equal rights to economic ancillaries such as owning property, having a bank account (an estimated 1.7 billion adults globally are “unbanked” ), and access to credit and financial services.
• Equal opportunity to determine their own economic future, such as saving money, investing money or starting a business.

When equality exists, gender alone does not determine who can work, earn and thrive. Nor should it. Everyone— men and women, rural or urban—should have the same opportunity to earn a living.

Gender equity in economics: focus on fairness

Gender equity identifies that just giving everyone the same opportunities to work may not be enough. Some people require additional support to achieve similar economic outcomes to others.

For women and girls facing discrimination, poverty or social and cultural barriers, this may include:

• Providing access to skills training or vocational programs tailored to job markets within their community.
• Offering microfinance options, savings groups or financial literacy programs to help women build income and economic independence.
• Supporting reliable childcare or eldercare solutions so women can work or run businesses without additional caregiving responsibilities.
• Ensuring safe, healthy workplaces free of harassment or exploitation.

Equity goes beyond just giving everyone the opportunity to work. It identifies and removes obstacles that may prevent people from reaching their full economic potential.

• What is microfinance? Microfinance offers key financial services to vulnerable people in low-income places to kickstart economic sustainability for women and families.

Ten reasons why narrowing the gap between gender equity and equality matters

Knowing the difference between gender equity and equality and narrowing that gap is a moral imperative. It also drives measurable, meaningful change.

Here are 10 reasons why focusing on gender equity and equality results in the betterment of individuals, communities and society.

1. Unlocks full potential: Ensures that all individuals can reach their capabilities, regardless of gender or starting point.
2. Improves education programs: Better outcomes for all girls and boys when they receive tailored support to succeed in school.
3. Boosts the economy: Inclusive participation increases productivity, innovation and cash flow at a micro and macro level.
4. Reduces poverty: Barrier-free access to resources and opportunities helps to break the cycle of poverty.
5. Promotes physical and mental health: Access to healthcare, nutrition and safe environments for everyone.
6. Creates social justice : Addresses systemic barriers and discrimination to create a fairer society for all.
7. Encourages leadership diversity: Women and girls in leadership roles empower decision making and representation.
8. Strengthens communities: Equality and equity enable people to contribute more to their own social and economic development.
9. Supports legal and human rights: Helps to fulfill international commitments to gender fairness and human rights.
10. Kickstarts sustainable change: Combining gender equity and equality creates everlasting improvements in all aspects of society.

• The work to advance gender equality carries on: Sweden is a global leader in gender equality. What can we learn from the Swedish model to drive policies and programs that make a difference to women and girls worldwide?

Know the difference, make a difference

A quick summary:

• Gender equality: Giving everyone the same opportunities.
• Gender equity: Recognizing different needs for fairness of treatment.

Women and girls are too often left behind, ignored or discriminated against because of their gender. It’s completely unfair from a human rights perspective and it hurts everyone — socially, culturally and economically.

You can help make a difference. You can help be the difference.

Your World Vision Canada donation—either as a one-time gift or ongoing sponsorship of a child —can close the gaps within gender equality and equity.

You can provide the resources needed to help a girl get to school and stay there. Through programs like Every Girl Can, you can provide the access for a woman to become an economic and social leader within her community.

Understanding the difference between gender equality and equity is the first step. Taking action is the next.

Ways to give

Sponsor a child

• The average month is 30 days. For $1.60 (CAD) per day, you can bring gender equity and equality and transform a life. Learn about child sponsorship

Give a one-time gift

• Education. Healthcare supplies. Food. Water. Guidance. A one-time gift is all someone needs to bring them closer to gender equality and equity. View all World Vision Canada gifts