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Embrace Equity for International Women’s Day, 8 March
- 8 March 2023
- Event report
- gsclibrary
Social affairs Education & training
This year’s International Women's Day campaign theme in many parts of the world is centred around the theme of Embrace Equity. Its goal is to encourage discussion on why equal opportunities are not enough.
What is Gender Equity?
The European Institute for Gender Equality defines gender equity as the provision of fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men.
In simple terms, it means giving men and women what they need to be successful.
There is a difference between equity and equality. Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity acknowledges the fact that each person has different circumstances and may need different resources or opportunities in order to achieve an equal outcome.
Inequality disproportionately affects people living in poverty, women and marginalised groups.
The goal of gender equity is to dismantle gender-based systemic and structural barriers that perpetuate inequalities between men and women. Equity means creating an inclusive world. It should be a common concern, and everyone – not just women – can play an important role in promoting it.
Equality of outcome is the goal. Equity is the means of achieving that goal.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023
To mark International Women's Day 2023 the General Secretariat of the Council organised a discussion on gender equity. Thérèse Blanchet, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, and the first woman to lead the General Secretariat, gave the opening remarks.
Dr Loes Meeussen from KU Leuven was also invited to discuss gender norms. These may serve a social function, but also have disadvantages for both women and men. She outlined how these norms drive inequalities both at work and in the family and explored ideas on how to best deal with stereotypes.
Council Library resources on gender equity
To help raise awareness, and to mark International Women’s Day, the Council Library has prepared a library guide of resources on gender equity.
Browsing through the tabs, you will find relevant and authoritative books and articles, EU publications, podcast episodes, videos and websites.
Embrace equity in all its forms.
Happy International Women’s Day to all!
This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.
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