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Equality: meaning, definitions and examples

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equality

 

[ɪˈkwɒlɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

gender equality

The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities between all individuals regardless of gender.

Synonyms

equal opportunities, equal rights, equal treatment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
equality

Use 'equality' to talk about the general concept of everyone having the same status or rights in society or a particular group.

  • The government strives for gender equality in all sectors.
  • Equality is a fundamental principle of human rights.
equal rights

Use 'equal rights' when talking about everyone having the same legal entitlements and protections.

  • The civil rights movement fought for the equal rights of all citizens.
  • Equal rights for women remain a major issue in many countries.
equal treatment

Use 'equal treatment' to describe situations where everyone is treated the same way, regardless of their differences.

  • In the workplace, all employees should receive equal treatment.
  • Equal treatment in healthcare is essential for a fair society.
equal opportunities

Use 'equal opportunities' when referring to situations where everyone has the same chances to access resources, jobs, education, etc.

  • The company prides itself on providing equal opportunities for all employees.
  • Schools must ensure equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

Examples of usage

  • Gender equality is a fundamental human right.
  • Promoting gender equality is crucial for a fair society.
Context #2 | Noun

racial equality

The principle of treating all people the same, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Synonyms

racial fairness, racial justice, racial parity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
equality

General concept of ensuring that all people have the same rights and opportunities regardless of any differences.

  • The new policy promotes equality in the workplace.
  • They are fighting for gender equality in sports.
racial justice

Addressing and correcting historical and present-day injustices and inequalities faced by certain racial groups.

  • Activists are demanding racial justice for the victims of police brutality.
  • The organization is dedicated to achieving racial justice through legal reforms.
racial parity

Ensuring equal representation and treatment of all racial groups, often in specific areas like employment or education.

  • The company is committed to racial parity in its leadership team.
  • Achieving racial parity in schools is a key goal for the district.
racial fairness

Ensuring that people of all races are treated fairly and without bias in various aspects such as legal matters, employment, and education.

  • Racial fairness is crucial for a just society.
  • The government is working to promote racial fairness in hiring practices.

Examples of usage

  • We need to work towards achieving racial equality in our society.
  • Racial equality is essential for a harmonious community.
Context #3 | Noun

income equality

The distribution of wealth and resources evenly among individuals or groups in a society.

Synonyms

economic equality, equitable distribution, wealth equality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
equality

General use referring to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.

  • They fought for gender equality in the workplace.
  • The organization promotes equality for all races.
wealth equality

Deals specifically with equalizing the distribution of wealth among different groups of people or across society.

  • Wealth equality is a key goal for social reformers.
  • Programs to improve wealth equality often target financial literacy and access to capital.
economic equality

Refers specifically to fair distribution and equal access to economic resources and opportunities.

  • Policies aimed at achieving economic equality are essential for reducing poverty.
  • Economic equality can lead to a more stable society.
equitable distribution

Used when discussing fair and impartial distribution of resources, wealth, or opportunities among people.

  • The government aims for equitable distribution of healthcare services.
  • Equitable distribution of resources is crucial for social harmony.

Examples of usage

  • Income equality is a major issue in many countries.
  • Striving for income equality can lead to a more stable economy.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The concept dates back to ancient civilizations, notably in the philosophies of Socrates and Plato who debated fairness and justice.
  • The phrase 'all men are created equal' from the U.S. Declaration of Independence has influenced global movements for human rights.
  • Equality was a central theme during the French Revolution, which proclaimed the rights of individuals against monarchical privilege.

Social Movements

  • The suffragette movement in the early 20th century fought for women's voting rights, emphasizing gender equality.
  • The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s sought to end racial discrimination and promote equal treatment for all Americans.
  • LGBTQ+ rights have seen significant advances with activists pushing for legal equality in marriage and anti-discrimination.

Legal Frameworks

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, affirms that all humans are entitled to equal rights.
  • Many countries have anti-discrimination laws that ensure equality in employment, education, and housing.
  • The Equal Pay Act of 1963 in the United States was one of the first legal steps taken to ensure men and women receive equal pay for equal work.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers like John Rawls argue that a fair society must prioritize equality in its political and economic structures.
  • The idea of utilitarianism often grapples with how to maximize happiness while ensuring equal consideration for all individuals.
  • Equality can be understood through the lens of justice, leading to debates on whether absolute equality is achievable or desirable.

Contemporary Issues

  • Today’s discussions on equality often focus on intersectionality, recognizing that individuals experience discrimination in various overlapping ways.
  • Economic inequality is a growing concern, as the gap between the wealthy and the poor continues to widen in many regions.
  • Global movements like 'Black Lives Matter' emphasize the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in society.

Translations

Translations of the word "equality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 igualdade

🇮🇳 समानता

🇩🇪 Gleichheit

🇮🇩 kesetaraan

🇺🇦 рівність

🇵🇱 równość

🇯🇵 平等 (びょうどう)

🇫🇷 égalité

🇪🇸 igualdad

🇹🇷 eşitlik

🇰🇷 평등 (pyeongdeung)

🇸🇦 مساواة

🇨🇿 rovnost

🇸🇰 rovnosť

🇨🇳 平等 (píngděng)

🇸🇮 enakost

🇮🇸 jafnrétti

🇰🇿 теңдік

🇬🇪 თანასწორობა

🇦🇿 bərabərlik

🇲🇽 igualdad

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,794, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.