Gender Equality or Gender Equity

Over the years, there has been an increase in the call for gender equality, with some quarters actually calling for gender equity. More broadly, how is gender equity different than gender equality?

Gender Equality should not necessarily mean that men and women will become the same as this is actually impossible. It basically means hat women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female.

Gender Equity on the other hand means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their needs. This would include equal treatment or treatment that is different, but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and opportunities.

My submission might not be right or acceptable to everyone, but I think the narrative should be around Gender Equity rather than Gender Equality. Every fact, including religious and cultural, points towards fairness to everyone, regardless of their gender. As far as I am concerned,  women deserve more than they currently get. Islam for one does not equate men to women and if I'm right, gives preference to women over men. That is enough reason to know that women can never be equal to men. 

The Christian faith holds a similar view, a the practice of Jesus makes clear his way of relating to all people without prejudices or discrimination. In the only episode in which an exclusive view of the “House of Israel” is expressed, the Canaanite woman reminds him that “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the table of his master”. As soon as Jesus heard this, he immediately changed his attitude and declared: “O Woman, Great is your faith; it shall be done for you as you wish” (Matt 15:21-28).

Statistics also reveal that there is no country where women are equal to men. In fact, the World Economic Forum projects it will take 170 years to reach gender equality globally, and 158 years in North America. That means it will take five more generations for us to see gender equality – or my great, great, great, great, grandchildren. That’s not only bad news for our daughters – it’s bad news for our sons because gender equality impacts the economic pie for all.

On the path to gender equality, the focus should be on gender equity. This will require a shift from fixing women to fixing the system. A system that has generated a leaky pipeline and suppressed economic opportunity at all levels – individual, family, company, and country.

Anyways, what do I even know sef.

#Adeyinkawrites