gelijkwaardige

Gelijkwaardige is a Dutch adjective meaning equal in value, status, or rights; comparable or on par with something else. It is used to describe people, groups, opportunities, or objects that share the same standing or value as a reference point.

Etymology and form: the word combines gelijk (equal) withwaardig (worthy or deserving), forming a compound that denotes worthiness or parity. The noun form is gelijkwaardigheid, conveying the concept of equality in value or status. The attributive form gelijkwaardige is commonly used before a noun, for example de gelijkwaardige partner or de gelijkwaardige kansen; the base form gelijkwaardig is used predicatively, as in de partner is gelijkwaardig, or het systeem is gelijkwaardig aan het doel.

Usage and contexts: gelijkwaardig is widely used in policy, law, education, and social discourse to express non-discrimination and parity. Common expressions include gelijke kansen (equal opportunities) and gelijkmatige/gelijke behandeling (equal treatment). The term emphasizes value or status parity, and can be paired with nouns referring to people, groups, or conditions to signal that they are on a level playing field. In some contexts, evenwaardigheid or evenwaardig may be preferred for focusing on numerical or functional equivalence, while gelijkwaardig highlights value-based parity.

Related terms: gelijkwaardigheid (the quality of being equal in value or status), gelijkheid (equality), evenwaardig (also meaning equally valuable or on par), en waardigheid (dignity).

Notes: gebruik en nuance can vary by context, particularly between legal/policy language and everyday speech. Gelijkwaardig and its derivatives are commonly found in discussions about rights, participation, and fair treatment.