CONCEPTS OF EQUALITY
(How Will We Know When We Get There?)

There is not, as yet, a universally accepted definition of equality. In fact, a number of theories, interpretations and goals for equality are used by different interest groups, and in different contexts.

One of the most common interpretations, or concepts, of equality is that of sameness. The use of the concept of sameness for equality presents a number of problems where women are concerned. Aside from the obvious fact that women are not the "same" as men, the principal difficulty is that the male standard is used as the standard against which the treatment and achievements of women are measured. The use of the male standard is not only offensive to many women, it is also conceptually inadequate to deal with issues related to women's reproductive capacity and violence against women. Nor can this standard be related to either the inequities of women's dual workload or the general disadvantaged state of the female population.

Another concept of equality, used extensively by Native rights organizations, is that of sovereignty. The notion of sovereignty, or supreme power, implies a degree of autonomy, which can only be achieved through complete separateness. The reality of most women's lives and aspirations does not suggest that complete separateness, or supreme power, is in any way a desirable goal.

In some situations, equality is construed as equity, or that which is fair and just. Equity is an attractive concept, but one which is dependent upon interpretations of what is fair and just.

The concept of parity as equality may have the most relevance for women. Parity includes the notions of equivalence and non-subordination, and has the advantage of using, as a standard for judgment of its achievement, equal results. It takes into account disadvantages, and the need to compensate or ameliorate these disadvantages, in order to achieve equal results. Parity allows for specialized programs and services for women and, therefore, provides a frame- work, both for proposing equalizing measures and for evaluating their results.

It has not been the intention of this article to propose a concept of equality which would apply to all cases and all situations. The intention has been to clarify some of the various interpretations and concepts of equality which are in use, and to emphasize the need for discussion and consensus development within the women's movement. Presentations and discussions aimed at resolving the equality rights issues, which have been raised by the federal government, will be that much more fruitful if a common understanding of equality is developed and utilized by status of women groups as a framework for discussion and action. The concept of equality, which we adopt now, can be used in identifying, developing and arguing cases in the future when the Charter clauses governing equality rights finally come into effect this April.

* * * * * * * * * *

Susan McCrae Vander Voet is Executive
Director of CCLOW.