gleichstellen

Gleichstellen is a German verb meaning to place someone or something on an equal footing with others, or to regard as equal in status, rights, or value. The related noun Gleichstellung denotes the act or process of achieving such equality, often in legal, administrative, or social contexts. The term derives from gleich (equal) and stellen (to place).

In legal and administrative language, Gleichstellung describes the formal recognition of equality between groups or individuals, or the alignment of rules to grant equivalent rights or opportunities. For example, measures that gleichstellen persons with disabilities with others in access to benefits, or policy debates about Gleichstellung in areas such as gender equality or inclusion.

Gleichstellung is often distinguished from Gleichbehandlung. Gleichbehandlung refers to non-discrimination in the application of rules, whereas Gleichstellung emphasizes actual equality of status or rights, which may require changes to laws or structures to achieve parity. In policy discourse, Gleichstellung is particularly associated with gender equality, such as the Gleichstellung von Frauen und Männern, and with broader social inclusion.

The verb Gleichstellen is used in bureaucratic and legal texts as a transitive verb: einer Gruppe etwas gleichstellen; diese Maßnahme stellt die Gruppe rechtlich gleich. In international contexts, the concept corresponds to parity, equal status, or equal rights in the respective legal framework.