Equity is one of the four pillars of a policy other than protection, labor and benefit (National Academy of Social Insurance, 2022). The world today is rooted in diversities which exist at all levels ranging from ethnicity to education. Hence, the agents of the governments today all across the world aim at making policies equitable and inclusive along with the constant eye on its implementation.
Socio economic disparities are double-edged sword. While on one hand, they can provide an opportunity for innovation & wealth creation, on the other hand, they often perpetuate inequality & poverty.
One of the foremost areas for equity in policy making is gender. Despite significant progress, gender disparities still persist across the globe, with women and gender minorities facing barriers in development. The recent Taliban’s oppression of women is prime example. Hence, policies like equal pay legislations, paternal leaves, gender quotas make a way for development. India’s Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 sets an example of women reservation in the legislature.
Education is another cornerstone of equity. Access to quality education is often the first step in achieving social and economic mobility, yet disparities in educational opportunities based on socio-economic status, geography, and gender continue to hold back millions. To ensure equitable education, policies must focus on providing inclusive curricula, addressing gaps in access, and ensuring that all children, regardless of background, are given the tools they need to succeed for example the Right to Education (RTE) under article 21 of the Indian Constitution
Equitable access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, but unequal distribution of resources and services continues to create vast disparities in health outcomes. Addressing health equity requires improving healthcare access, reducing financial barriers, and ensuring culturally competent care for all populations. Norway’s healthcare system promotes equity through universal coverage and equitable resource distribution.
At the workplace, equity is critical to creating environments where all individuals can contribute and succeed. Discriminatory practices, unequal pay, and lack of diversity in leadership roles are just some of the challenges that persist. Implementing policies that promote inclusive hiring practices, provide equal pay for equal work, and ensure safe and supportive work environments are essential steps toward achieving workplace equity. Canada is known for prioritizing equity laws supporting inclusive hiring practices.
Another form of equity that needs to be determined is in land leasing. For instance, post-independence India faced significant inequities in land and tenancy, as efforts like the abolition of zamindari and land redistribution were unevenly implemented, benefiting large landlords while marginalizing tenants and landless farmers. Land leasing acts are required to improve agricultural efficiency and equity, access to land by the landless and semi-landless poor, occupational diversity and for accelerated rural growth and transformation. The most prominent example can be of the Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016 prepared by NITI AAYOG in India. It serves as a guide for the States and UTs to draft their own piece of leasing legislation on the basis of the model law, keeping in view the local requirement.
Hence, countries today have been trying to include the sustainable development goals like Gender Equality, Good Health & Well Being etc. for policymaking. As it is rightly said,
“Equity is the soul of public policy; without it, just remains a distant dream”
The author is a Policy Research Intern @IISPPR (International Institute of SDG's and Public Policy Research)
