Why is it important to treat people equally?

So what does treating people equally actually mean?

Treating people equally means that you treat everyone the same regardless of their race, sex, social status, disability, religion, or anything else. In a community, if everyone is treated equally then everyone should be able to work together, solve problems, feel safe and cared for.

Treating people equally is also a big part of human rights. So, no matter what someone’s individual circumstance is they should be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness.

We are all different, every single one of us, and that is great! However, sometimes people can be harsh, and they may not be nice to someone who is quite different from them. This could be from as small as ignoring them to violence and discrimination. This would not be considered treating someone equally.

What is the difference between treating people equally and treating people fairly?

Treating people equally means that you are doing the same thing for everyone.
Treating people fairly means that you are doing the right thing for that person, so you are meeting their individual needs.

This means that sometimes, especially in school or learning environments, it is much better to treat people fairly, rather than equally, because not all pupils, teachers, parents, and carers need the same thing. It may be fairer to not treat people exactly the same depending on their individual needs.

Source: twinkl