Is giving everyone the same thing always fair? At first glance, equality seems like the ideal—we treat everyone the same, offer the same opportunities and resources, and expect this to be the fairest way to act. But in the real world, people don’t start from the same place. That’s where equity comes in.
Understanding Equality
“Equality is the right of different groups of people to receive the same treatment” – dictionary.cambridge.org
Equality means giving everyone the same thing. The same resources, opportunities, or support — no matter who they are or what they might need.
For example, in a classroom, equality would be handing each student the same textbook, same homework, and same style of pen. Generally, the teacher would then expect them to all succeed in the same way. The idea has good intentions: fairness through sameness.
But what happens when some students don’t have internet at home? Or English isn’t their first language? Or they’re dyslexic?
What about the student with a condition that affects their hands?
Enter Equity
“Equity is the situation in which everyone is treated fairly according to their needs” – dictionary.cambridge.org
Equity means adjusting the way resources and opportunities are distributed based on people’s specific needs. In the case of our earlier analogy of the students and their homework, instead of giving every student the same things, you give each student what they need to succeed.
This could mean access to the school computers after school has finished for the day, providing extra tutoring, or allowing the student to use tools and aids to help them such as typing rather than handwriting. The goal isn’t to favour some over others—it’s to ensure everyone has a real chance.
The Fence Illustration
You’ve probably seen the image: three people of different heights trying to watch a football game over a fence. Equality gives them all the same box to stand on — but still only the tallest can see the whole field.
Equity gives each person a different-sized box according to their height so that everyone can see over the fence and see the whole field clearly.
The message? Sometimes fairness means treating people differently to achieve equal opportunity.
Why Equity Matters
In many systems—education, healthcare, employment—equality alone isn’t enough. Historic and systemic barriers mean that some people face more obstacles than others. Equity works to remove those barriers so we can get closer to true fairness and everyone has the chance to thrive.
For example:
- In education, equity means ensuring students with disabilities, language barriers, or low income get extra support.
- In healthcare, it could mean prioritizing at-risk groups for preventative care.
- In the workplace, equity might involve flexible schedules or mentorship programs for underrepresented employees.
Isn’t Equity Unfair?
This is a common concern: “If one person gets more help, isn’t that favouritism?” Not if the goal is to reach the same outcome. If someone starts further behind, they need more support to get to the same finish line. Fairness isn’t about sameness—it’s about justice.
So What’s the Goal?
Equality is still the goal—but equity is how we get there. A society that gives everyone the exact same thing often ignores the complexity of people’s lives. A society that invests in people based on their needs creates more meaningful, long-lasting fairness.
Final Thoughts
Next time you hear “equality” and “equity” used interchangeably, take a second look. Ask yourself: is this policy or action helping everyone equally—or is it helping everyone equitably?
Because at the end of the day, a level playing field isn’t something we start with—it’s something we have to build.
