Equality before the law is one of the pillars of a democracy.
From the Latin aequalĭtas , equality is the correspondence and proportion resulting from many parts that make up a uniform whole . The term can be used to name the conformity of something with another thing in its form, quantity, quality or nature .
In the field of mathematics , an equality is an equivalence of two expressions or quantities. These factors, to be equal, must have the same value. For example: A + B = C + D is fulfilled if A = 2, B = 3, C = 4 and D = 1 , among other cases. Thus, 2 + 3 is equal to 4 + 1 . Both expressions have the same value as a result ( 5 ).
Social equality
Social equality is the context or situation where people have the same rights and opportunities in a certain aspect or at a general level. Sex equality or gender equality refers to standardizing existing opportunities so that they can be distributed fairly between men and women.
What is known as equality of opportunity is therefore very important. It establishes that for a society to have a fair system, it must allow all individuals to have the same political and civil rights. But not only that, everyone must also have the same opportunities to be able to access what would be social welfare.
Gender equality implies, among other things, that women and men have access to the same opportunities.
The case of a Spanish law
It is interesting to note that in Spain one of the most important laws in recent years at all levels is the Law for the effective equality of women and men. In 2007, the Cortes Generales approved this legislation which, among other things, establishes the principle of balanced presence of men and women not only in appointments to public powers but also in the electoral lists presented by political parties.
However, it also establishes gender equality in the various media, protects workers from sexual harassment and advocates for equality when it comes to accessing employment, training, working conditions and professional promotion.
The term equal pay is particularly important here. This term establishes that all individuals who perform similar jobs should receive the same salary regardless of their sex, race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation . If this does not occur, it is clear that what is being established is latent and palpable discrimination.
Racial equality and equality before the law
Racial equality is another form of equality: this notion holds that all people should enjoy the same rights so that there is no discrimination. In South Africa , during the apartheid era, racial equality was not respected and the black population was exploited by whites.
Equality before the law is a principle that recognises that all citizens are entitled to the same rights. It is clear that if there is no equality of races, there is no equality before the law. This concept also assumes that justice does not prejudge.