Yesterday 8th March, 2023 was International Women's Day with the campaign theme of #EmbraceEquity.
I did have this post written yesterday morning but didn't get around to posting it as my day was three quarters taken up with doing IWD type things - well sort of, as you will see if you read to the end.
The word 'equity' is the quality of being fair and reasonable in a way that gives equal treatment to everyone. It's commonly used in legal and financial terms such as in the sum of a person's assets, once debts have been taken from it. If someone who has borrowed money to buy a house and has 'negative equity', the amount of money they owe is greater than the present value of their home.
I have to say that I have checked my understanding of 'equity' and 'equality' and the differences between them, with a dictionary and can confirm that " Equality is providing the same level of opportunity to all segments of society such as races and genders, while equity is providing various levels of support and assistance depending on specific needs or abilities".
For International Women's Day, and beyond, we are being encouraged to fully "Embrace Equity" in any way we can and to know that it is critical to understand the differences (between equity and equality). The aim of the IWF campaign theme this year is to get the world talking about why only equal opportunities are not enough and how we can all really embrace equity, regardless of who we are or our life circumstances.
We are also encouraged to continue to believe, unconditionally, in the concept as a means to keep on creating an inclusive world. Each one of us can support this within our own sphere of influence, whether that be within family and friends, locally, nationally or internationally. Feeling included and having a sense of 'belonging' is not only a human right but a part of the 'human condition' - the shared experiences and challenges that are common to all of us, regardless of culture, race or background. This encompasses both positive and negative aspects of human existence including love, joy and fulfilment as well as pain, suffering and mortality. It is often confused with human nature which is only one part of the human condition referring to the behaviours, traits and characteristics that are natural to humans.
So, how do we embrace equity, as the International Women's Day theme suggests and is it any more than what we would ordinarily do as part of our everyday lives ?
It seems that there is not a day goes by without these concepts being debated in the media and social media or new 'laws' introduced to ensure that equality and inclusiveness is happening in all walks of life. This is surely a good thing provided we keep to original intentions and don't get - pardon the cliche - 'thrown off balance' by government, 'celebrities' or others with a particular agenda to push, which is in fact neither equal nor inclusive. The IWD suggestions are an added reminder to us, I think, to consciously aim for the goal of equality in all things and equity is the means to get there.
"When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and inclusion. We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality."
Sharing the passion and excitement that can come from valuing and supporting differences, we can all be part of a solution rather than a problem. By encouraging our family, friends, colleagues and community to embrace equity, we can collectively impact positive change and help towards and equal world. This may sound like preaching but I believe in the power of collective thought as well as action, and hope that I put my convictions into practice enough.
Yesterday I was fortunate to attend another Lost Chord session, at the Quaker Meeting House in Sheffield, led by musicians Clare Langan and Luke Carver Goss Again, it was a pleasure to take part in the music, song and chat between a group of people, as diverse as could be, and to appreciate the inclusion and equality of us all within that group. Both men and women attended the group so I hope I played my part in embracing equity for all. I think I did.
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