Equity refers to fairness or justice in the way people are treated, and especially freedom from bias or favoritism, as in “governed according to the principle of equity.” Equality refers to the quality or state of having the same rights and opportunities, as in “women’s struggle for equality.”

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Unlike equality, which emphasizes treating everyone the same, equity recognizes that people may start from different positions. Equity acknowledges that people may require different levels of support to achieve the same outcomes. The goal of equity is to create a just and inclusive society.

This example shows the key difference between equality and equity: equality means things are “the same” and equity means things are “fair.” It is certainly possible that something can be equal but not equitable and something could alternatively be equitable but not equal.

Equal is defined as the same or exactly alike. [Equality] Fair is defined as just or appropriate in the circumstances. [Fairness] Equity is defined as the quality of being fair and impartial. Equal is the easy one.