Gender Equity

Resources that lift up the voices of women and promote our equality.

“The Salvation Army believes that both male and female are made in the image of God and are equal in value and therefore is opposed to sexism. We reject any view that subordinates women to men… The Salvation Army acknowledges with regret that Salvationists have sometimes conformed to societal and organisational norms that perpetuate sexism. We are committed to model the equitable valuing, equipping and mobilising of men and women.” *

Reflective of our Christian theology and to ensure the human rights of women and girls, the Gender Equity committee exists to support the Salvation Army’s work towards eliminating any barriers of sexism and gender bias across the movement so all are included, valued and equipped to reach their full potential – as God intended.

In God’s creation story, we are all created to be equal and mutually share resources. However, if everyone is given equal resources, it doesn’t mean we will all have equal outcomes. Equity recognises that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the resources and opportunities they need in order to achieve an equal outcome. Equity gives us the building blocks to achieve real equality.

The illustration above shows how providing the same ‘building block’ to stand on doesn’t help everyone reach their goal. But, if the ‘building blocks’ fit us as individuals, we all get equal outcomes.

*The Salvation Army International Positional Statement on Sexism https://www.salvationarmy.org/isjc/wtan_genderequality