Social Equality (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what social equality is, its characteristics and examples. Also, gender equality and equal opportunities.

social equality education — Widespread access to education is essential to achieve social equality.

social equality It is a right that promotes the recognition of parity before the lawthat is, equality of opportunity and in the face of any personal condition for all individuals.

The “social” concept presents different conceptions depending on the culture and country. Beyond these differences, social equality pursues the concept of social justice that maintains that all people should have the same political and civil rights and access to social well-being (education, health and work).

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations (UN) was proclaimed, which was prepared by representatives of all regions of the world, as a common ideal for all peoples and nations.

It is a document that served as the basis for the creation of international conventions and pacts, even to be part of the constitution of several countries that aspire to achieve social equality.

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For this reason, political and legal equality is one of the fundamental values to which social systems aspire today.

social equality disability work — People with disabilities have the right to a job according to their abilities.

Some examples of social equality are:

Right to education. It corresponds to a fundamental right that is inextricably linked to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). It is the vital right for the economic, social and cultural development of all societies. However, it continues to be inaccessible to millions of children around the world.
The women's suffrage law. It corresponds to the recognition of the universal human right to vote, also for women. It is a right that accompanies the women's liberation movement (a process of struggle that continues even today) that supports women's freedom and proclaims equality of economic and social status.
The abolition of slavery. It corresponds to the annulment of laws, precepts and customs that violate ethical and moral principles, which reduce people to the condition of slaves. Despite the abolition of slavery, there are currently landowners who have slaves illegally, such as the case of Brazil where in 2003 the government freed more than ten thousand slaves.
Rights for people with disabilities. It corresponds to equal opportunities and freedoms, without discriminating against people with disabilities. For example, the right to work according to your disability and to receive wages equal to other people.
Freedom of expression. It corresponds to the right of all people, groups and organizations to communicate and express themselves freely, to not be disturbed because of their opinions and to express them in all their forms and means of dissemination, as well as the broadest existence of media. independent communication.
Access to justice. It corresponds to a basic principle of a democratic state, in which people can make their voices heard and go to court to demand that their rights be protected regardless of their economic, social, political, racial, sexual status, etc.
Right to health. It corresponds to the right to enjoy, without distinction of race, religion, ideology or social condition, the highest level of health that allows each person to live with dignity. The right reaches the guarantee of full availability, access, quality and acceptability of facilities, goods, services and conditions.

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Gender equality

Gender equality is a constitutional principle that It implies that women and men should receive the same benefitsthe same sentences and be treated with the same respect. That is, all people (without distinction of their sexual condition) have the same rights and duties towards the State and society.

For the law to be effective, equality must be translated into real and effective opportunities, such as going to school, accessing a job, accessing health and social security services, running for popular representative positions and participating in issues. of communities, organizations and political parties.

Gender equality is a fundamental right, necessary to achieve a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. However, More than one hundred countries still do not have laws that protect women from violencesuch as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, among others.

In these countries, women do not enjoy the same rights as men, they have restrictions on accessing jobs and educational institutions, they cannot choose who to marry or request a divorce.

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Equal opportunities

Equality of opportunities that allows us to achieve a fairer society It is calculated using different statistical indicatorsthat is, tools that allow us to show to what extent women and men participate in the same situation.

Indicators can offer two types of answers:

Quantitative. They are numerical results.
Qualitative. It is information that facilitates the understanding of the situation analyzed.

The systematic collection of statistical data on discrimination and lack of equal opportunities is decisive for them to become visible and, consequently, effective measures to be taken to reverse them.