Equality or Equity: Two Words That Change Everything

A few years ago, my team and I found ourselves discussing the idea of equity during an informal conversation.

At one point, one of my colleagues said:

“I understand equality, it’s even one of France’s founding values, along with liberty and fraternity, but I don’t see why people talk about equity. Isn’t it the same thing?”

It’s a question I still hear often. And it’s a fair one.

Because between equality and equity, the difference seems subtle… until you experience it.

🚀 Equality: Giving Everyone the Same Thing

Equality is a fundamental principle.

It means granting the same rights, the same opportunities, the same chances.

It’s what our societies have written into law, and it’s essential.

But in practice, starting from the same point doesn’t mean running the same race.

Some women have to overcome invisible barriers long before they even reach the starting line:

• unconscious bias in recruitment,
• careers slowed by family breaks,
• environments where they still need to “prove themselves” again and again.

Equality alone cannot erase these imbalances.

🌱 Equity: Giving Everyone What They Need to Succeed

Equity is the awareness that our paths are not identical, and that’s perfectly fine.

It means adjusting support, resources and expectations to allow each person to reach their full potential.

Equity recognises that a 25-year-old woman doesn’t need the same guidance as a 45-year-old project leader.

That a man returning from parental leave doesn’t need the same trajectory as someone who has never taken a break.

Recognising these differences is not about favouritism.

It’s about fairness, about doing what’s right.

🌌 Within Our Teams, It Changes Everything

When we embrace a culture of equity, our perspective shifts:

we stop trying to smooth out differences and start seeing them as strengths.

In the astronomy sector, I’ve seen teams perform better simply because we took the time to listen to every voice.

Because we accepted that the diversity of backgrounds, ages and cultures is a source of creativity and resilience.

Equity builds environments where:

• motherhood is no longer seen as a pause, but as a stage in life,
• trust grows through mutual recognition,
• and everyone can find their place without having to fit a mould.

💫 From Theory to Practice

At the Space Women Alliance, we believe that equity is the key to true equality.

Because it’s not enough to open the door, we must also make sure everyone has a step to reach it.

It starts with simple gestures:

• listening before judging,
• tailoring development paths,
• supporting those who doubt themselves,
• creating spaces where difference is not a risk but a resource.

That’s how we transform organisations: not by standardising, but by humanising.

🌕 Equality is a right, Equity is a choice.

And it’s this deeply human choice that allows talent to shine, and organisations to grow differently.

So next time you talk about diversity, ask yourself:

“Am I treating everyone the same way… or am I giving each person what they need to succeed?”

That’s where true leadership begins.