Jahnvi was sitting at her study table, notebook open in front of her and a pen poised on the paper. Her eyes were fixed on something outside her window and she seemed to be deep in thought.

Jahnvi had been selected to give a speech on The Importance of Social Equity at her school on the occasion of World Day of Social Justice on 20th February.

She had scoured the internet for details about the World Day of Social Justice and factually she had everything she could write in her speech. Even so, she felt that something was amiss; all that she had read was too factual.

She was thinking about the slum kids she saw everyday while coming back from school. The kids, about 8 or 10 years of age did not seem to be getting any education. Once she had asked her maid about the children she saw playing and the maid said that there was a government school earlier but due to lack of funds the school had shut down the previous year.

The same condition was with the government hospital in the area, the maid informed her. They used to have a Healthcare centre but there were no funds and so the centre was short of important medicines. Most of the families dwelling in those slums were too poor to afford even basic medicines and the condition was quite pitiable.

This information had a profound effect on Jahnvi. As a fifteen-year-old girl with a comfortable life, she had never really given a second thought to not being able to afford medicines or not having a chance to study. She now wrote her speech with these facts and differences in mind.

On the day of the event, she was called on stage to say her piece. She took a deep breath and started,

“Honorable Chief Guest, Principal Ma’am, Teachers and my fellow students, I am deeply thankful and honoured to have been given the chance to say something on World Day of Social Justice. When we say Social Justice, a picture of society comes to our mind. A society that is divided based on religion, caste, gender and income.

With so many different facets, the resources too are divided and the decision is not equal. Some get the best of everything while others are left reeling with the lack of even basic amenities.

The Constitution of India not only promises us a country, it promises us justice. India is rising as a global power but there is a vast majority of it’s citizens who are still struggling even to survive in this changing economy.

To combat this struggle and make this country grow completely, equity in all respects is required. Equal distribution of resources will not work because everyone has a different need. What is needed is equitable distribution to ensure that every person gets what he actually needs to overcome the disadvantages they may be facing.

For example, education needs to be inclusive. There may be a coding expert among the poor students too and given a chance they will surely shine. Every government school needs to be funded and properly staffed with all amenities so that no child is left out of the education system.

All hospitals, even in the remotest of villages should have doctors and staff; the medicines should be stocked so that healthcare does not become a luxury enjoyed by only those who have money to go to big hospitals.

The gender gap at the University and corporate levels too need to be addressed in the same manner. Girls and women are in need of social equity so they may break the glass ceiling.

Hassle-free credit access should be provided to small businesses and marginalised farmers who are many times left out of the banking system.

When we distribute resources equally, everyone is given same means irrespective of their requirements but when the same is done equitably, the poor and needy get more benefits which they can use for their sustenance and growth.” Jahnvi finished to a warm round of applause.

This post is a part of Echoes of Equality Blog Hop hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters blog hop series.