Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion (often shortened to EEDI) is the term used for policies and practices to ensure fair treatment and opportunity. The terms around EEDI are used in slightly different ways depending on context, but when putting together a policy these definitions are helpful to consider:
Equality means ensuring that people have equal opportunities. Organisations should ensure that people are treated fairly and are not treated less favourably because of their protected characteristics.
Equity means ensuring people are not unfairly prevented from accessing resources or opportunities, and also that others do not benefit from unfair advantages. For example, an equitable approach to project planning would consider what changes might be needed to help people get equal outcomes from a project, service or process, and might mean - e.g. providing different opening hours, facilities or support for key groups of clients.
Diversity is about recognising and respecting differences. This can mean working with and including people with different protected characteristics, but can cover other factors like class background, nationality and working style. A diverse environment is one with a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences and mindsets.
Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. An inclusive environment can only be created once issues of bias, prejudice and inequality are identified and actively challenged.