Equality and Diversity - Building a Culture of ... - Equality Authority

What Do We Mean By Equality
Equality can mean different things to different
people based on their values, beliefs, life
experience and view of the world. However,
in order to explore equality and diversity it
is important to clarify what we mean. This
is also important because legislation and
policy has informed and been informed by our
understanding of equality.
Equality
Equality is about protecting people's rights.
Under equality and anti-discrimination
legislation in Ireland and Northern Ireland
people's rights are protected in employment
and in accessing goods and services on certain
grounds for example, gender or race. Equality
does not always mean treating everyone the
same. For example, different students may
require different supports to ensure that they all
have the opportunity to sit and pass exams. The
following paragraphs outline different types and
levels of equality.
Basic equality All human beings have equal
worth and importance and are therefore
equally worthy of concern and respect.
Example – everyone, no matter how much
they earn, have equal worth and importance as
human beings.
Liberal equality builds on basic equality and
assumes that there will always be major
inequalities between people because of their
status, the level of resources available to them,
their employment, and the level of power
they have. These inequalities can be managed
by strengthening the minimum to which
everyone is entitled and promoting equality
of opportunity so that people have the same
chance to compete for advantage.
Example – some people have the resources to
access third level education while others do not.
Everyone should have the same opportunity to
access third level education if they wish.
Equality of condition builds on basic equality and
liberal equality. This idea of equality emphasises
that inequality is rooted in the social structures
of society and that these structures can be
changed. How these structures need change
requires debate and discussion.
Example
research in Ireland has highlighted that male
earnings exceed female earnings i.e. there is
a gender pay gap. A contributing factor is that
women are penalised as a consequence of
taking time out to meet family responsibilities.
Addressing the gender wage gap requires
targeted positive action to promote gender
equality in the workplace. It also requires
the development of policies and practices to
support greater sharing of care roles in society
between men and women.
Key Equality Questions
The following tool is useful when exploring any
equality issue or theme
Equality is about outcome and opportunity:
Do individuals and groups have equal access to
the resources or supports necessary to ensure
that they have the same opportunities and
outcomes – for example in work or school?
Are assumptions made about who people are
and what they can do?
What needs to change to make sure that
those who need additional resources and
supports can access them?
Equality is about respect:
Is respect for difference visible or invisible in
society, community, school or family?
Is everyone included equally and treated
with respect?
Are assumptions made about who people are
because of the group they belong to e.g. older
people, men, women, people with disabilities,
Travellers, lone parents, Muslims, Catholics,
gay, lesbian, migrant workers or others?
Are there stereotypes about particular
individuals/groups that cause disrespect?
Is respect for diversity visible in schools and
communities?
Do school and community events/activities
respect and value diversity?
Equality is about participation:
Who makes the decisions in society /
community?
Are some voices absent?
Are some voices stronger than others?
Is every effort made to include all voices?
Introduction 7