Definitions
- Equity – The quality of being equal or fair. Everyone is treated fairly according to their needs.
- Equality – The state of being equal. The rights of different people to receive the same treatment. It's ensuring that everyone has fair access, treatments, outcomes and impacts. It is rooted in ideas of justice and fairness.
- Diversity – Diversity recognises that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected and valued. They may include differences protected by law, known as protected characteristics.
- Inclusion – Inclusion is the practice of including people in a way that is fair for all, values everyone’s differences, and empowers and enables each person to be themselves and achieve their full potential, feel a sense of belonging and thrive at work.
Key Concepts and Terminology
- Intersectionality: Intersectionality shows us that social identities work on multiple levels, resulting in unique experiences, opportunities, and barriers for each person. Therefore, oppression cannot be reduced to only one part of an identity; each oppression is dependent on and shapes the other.
- Privilege: The unearned advantages that individuals may have in society based on their identity.
- Microaggressions: Small, often unintentional comments or actions that can be disrespectful or hurtful to someone.
- Allyship: The practice of supporting and standing up for marginalised or underrepresented groups, using your privilege to advocate for their rights and help create an inclusive environment helping.
- Bias: A preference or inclination that affects how we think, feel or act towards someone or something.