#EmbracingEquity

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’ every year?

One such google search a few years ago led me to this —> Labour activist Theresa Malkiel is credited to have begun a movement in New York in 1909, yet it was only in 1975 that the UN began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD).  Starting 1977, the UN General Assembly declared March 8 as ‘International Women’s Day’ in support of women’s rights and global peace, and since then has commemorated the day by establishing a theme each year.

The IWD 2023 theme is #EmbraceEquity. It seeks to get the world talking about why equal opportunities are no longer enough - and can in fact be exclusionary, rather than inclusive.

While many of us use the words ‘Equality’ and ‘Equity’ inter-changeably, Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities, whereas Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

To understand Equity best, think about why the judiciary takes a case-by-case approach to circumstances under which an act is committed. For instance, two people that commit the same act, say theft of items of differing value. They do not receive the same penalty. We further look at intent, level of remorse and whether it is an event in isolation or if the person is a repeated offender when doling out a judgment!

Similarly, people are rewarded differentially based on the value each one has created and/ or can potentially create. We look at the person’s education, experience, networks when determining how valuable having them on-board can be and accordingly build in a premium!

These simple examples shows us that we have adopted the principle of equity decades ago in our day to day functioning. Yet as a society we seems to be years away from acknowledging that circumstances can make it more difficult for specific groups of people to achieve the same goals.

In the recent times, Covid-19 reiterated that inequities differ basis age, socio-economic backgrounds, race, residence status, accessibility & disability and even gender! While most people's lives and work have been negatively affected by the crisis, it led to a significantly worse impact on women's jobs and livelihoods with scores of women opting out of the workforce given school closures, lack of childcare options, and various other factors as cited in the McKinsey and 100s of ‘Future of Work’ and other reports we continue to read!

A recent article I read stated - In recent years, multiple countries have rolled back women's rights with anti-feminist rhetoric and policies. According to UN Women, gender disparities are worsening and they believe it could take another *286 years* to close the global gender gaps in legal protections for women and girls.

286 years. Lets take a minute to let this sink in. 

As we celebrate International Women's Day today, there are women protesting for basic rights around the world. 

1. Right to equality, education and quality of life in Afghanistan and Iran

2. Right to free speech in China and gender equality in South Korea, Japan and India

3. Right to legal abortion in the US, Ireland, Poland

4. Right to equal wages in Manila, better pensions in Paris.. 

Not to mention, the large gender gap that remains in women's access to decision-making and leadership across the globe… The list goes on!

Clearly, it’s time women’s rights are viewed as Human rights, and Women's day celebrations, thoughts and actions extend well beyond a day!!!

It’s time we change the systemic and structural barriers that get in the way of people achieving things. It’s time we ask ourselves –

• What must I do to reduce inequity around me?
• Who will best benefit if the imbalanced social systems are addressed?
• How can I address them?
• Who (else) can I bank on to help me?

Thoughts and individual actions of this nature alone will help us work together towards true ‘Inclusion’.

As I pen these thoughts, I wish every woman ‘A Happy Women’s Day!’ Let’s acknowledge that it’s not easy for you, yet every day you put your best foot forward at home and at work, given the multiple hats you wear in your personal and professional lives.

Together, let’s continue to promote an equitable playing ground for all by questioning the status quo, breaking stereotypes, and voicing out biases and inequities.

So, on this International Women’s Day and through the year(s), I urge you to continue to #EmbraceEquity at all times – at home and at work! Let’s speak up when we see inequity at our home, community and/or our workplace! Even better, let’s address and #FixEm!