Under the spotlight this week is SDG #10 – Reduced Inequalities. This goal is all about the people and ensuring that no matter who you are, where you come from, your life experience, or identity, that you are able to have access to resources and opportunities needed to thrive. We take a look at this goal, and really hone in on equality vs inequity, as well as highlight some awesome people doing great things for this goal in our sector.
What is SDG #10 about?
SDG #9 seeks to reduce inequality within and among countries.
Targets under this goal are focused on:
- Progressively achieving and sustaining income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population
- Empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic, or other status
- Ensuring equal opportunities and reducing discriminatory laws, practices and policies,
- Adopting policies that progressively achieve greater equality,
- Enhancing repesentation and voice of developing countries in decision making processes, and
- Improving the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions
These targets show common themes that relate to other SDGs such as:
- No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Good Health and Wellbeing are prioritised through efforts to raise incomes of the bottom 40% which can have a direct impact on addressing aspects of poverty,
- Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Sustainable Cities and Communities are all prioritised through efforts to ensure inclusion of all,
- Ensuring representation and voices to be heard, particularly that of developing countries and minority groups, further progresses Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, as well as Partnerships for the Goals.
While the focus of this goal may be on reducing inequalities, it is very clear that the objectives of the other SDGs have an important role to play in ensuring that this is able to happen and have an impact for people and communities around the world.
What is equality?
Equality is about treating everybody the same to establish a ‘level playing field’. The focus is on providing equal opportunities to everyone. This looks like sharing resources and opportunities the same with all people, irrespective of who they are, their challenges, or circumstances. Through the lens of equality, it is thought that getting rid of discrimination will result in a fair and equal go for all people. However, it isn’t quite this simple.
Take the image below. It shows a man, a woman, someone who uses a wheelchair and a child. In order to achieve equality they have all been given the same bike. However, as we can see the bike is only right for the woman. It is too small for the man. It is too big for the child. It isn’t accessible for the person who uses a wheelchair. While the intentions may have been to treat everyone the same, the result has not been fair or just. While the woman can comfortably ride the bike and the man can ride it despite it being too small, the child and person using a wheelchair have once again been left out and suffer an inequality.
Is equality the gold standard we should be aiming for?
Not quite, but it is a necessary step in the process towards addressing inequity.
How does equity differ to equality?
Equity recognises that not all people start from the same place. Whether it be socio-economic, gender, ethnicity, or other elements of human experience and identity, these things all influence peoples experiences and access to opportunity. Equity means that we are targeted in ensuring that the barriers to accessing opportunity are removed based on what a certain person or demographic needs to be able to not only participate, but to thrive.
If we take the example of the four people and the bikes and look through an equity lens, what does this look like? We can see that it was recognised that all four people needed a different type of bike in order to be able to participate and have the same opportunity. This looks like an adaptive bike for the person using a wheelchair, a bigger bike for the man, and a smaller bike for the child. We can see that targeting what each person needs based on their life experience and circumstances results in people being able to thrive.
Why is it then still important that we work towards equality?
In an ideal world it would be great to see that we can go straight to action on inequity, however, a large focus in society has been on equality. There is a misconception that equality and equity are the same thing, however they have fundamentally different outcomes. We must make sure that we know the difference and be aware that equality is a stepping stone that we must take but not stop there. It is part of the journey but not the only destination that we should seek.
Why is SDG #10 important for Agriculture?
Who's doing great work in this space?
Founded by Louise Gibson and Myfanwy Alexander, The Sharefarming Consultants are all about ensuring that share milkers are given a fair go. Core to their ethos is ensuring that there is a fair and balanced relationship between farm owners and share milkers so that the best can be achieved for not only the business, but all the the people within it as well.
This is really important work for reducing inequalities and inequities as there can often be a strong difference in the way that farm owners and farm workers of any kind are treated on farm, and within the sector. Louise and Myfanwy are passionate about the dairy industry and about getting the best out of people, so they have really focused on the two and getting the best outcomes for business, people and the sector.
Ben Purua, 2024 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year and 2025 Young New Zealander of the Year Finalist, was not always involved in farming. In fact, his love for the whenua (land) and farming came when he was in prison.
What Ben does for people, communities, and the sector is hard to package into a small blurb, however one of the most powerful things he does is working to challenge and change perceptions, as well as advocating for giving people a chance. Reducing inequalities fundamentally requires a shift in perceptions and how we treat others, and Ben is doing amazing things at ensuring that this is something we are doing in the Food and Fibre sector.
Ben’s recent Country Calendar episode is a great insight into where he came from, his love for farming, and how he supports those in his community. You can watch it here – we highly recommend! You can also hear Ben’s story in the incredible talk he gave to Boma E Tipu Summit in 2024 (to the left).
Hōhepa Hawkes Bay is an incredible example of looking to reduce inequities for people with intellectual disabilities. The Hōhepa approach and their farm is a prime example of creating opportunity for people to be involved in Food and Fibre sector.
They have an organic, biodynamic, regenerative and sustainable farm which engages 60 people with meaningful work opportunities and connection to the land.
Their motto is ‘every life fully lived’ and they really provide a way for this to happen. I love this statement from their website which really talks to how they value people and what value they bring to life.
Our farms embrace diversity at every level. Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. Everyone on our farm has something to offer and in return our farm is a very generous living being.
For more on their story, visit the video link to the left.
Cheyenne Wilson is committed to ensuring that our sector is one where Māori are supported and can thrive.
Her recent Kelloggs Leadership Programme report explored the challenges and opportunities for rangatahi Māori (young Māori) in the Food and Fibre sector. Core to the outcomes of her research was wanting to envisage what future opportunities there are for rangatahi Māori in our sector.
A key part of her research was to understand how support systems that serve the unique needs of rangatahi Māori could be established, which is core to reducing inequalities and inequities. Serving the needs of Māori in a way that works for them, is culturally appropriate, and focused on an equity approach is something we should all be invested in for a thriving Food and Fibre sector.