Affirmative Action

encouragement of increased representation of women and minorities in employment (or universities, etc.)

Affirmative action refers to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group (typically, minorities or women). Motivation for affirmative action policies is to redress the effects of past discrimination and to encourage public institutions such as universities, hospitals and police forces to be more representative of the population.
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Affirmative action Social medicine The removal of artificial barriers to the employment of ♀ and disadvantaged minorities, or admission of [more]Affirmative action - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities; "affirmative action has been extremely controversial and was challenged in 1978 in the Bakke decision"
(hypernym) social action

A reverse discrimination law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of individuals who are socially or economically disadvantaged. - (read more on Affirmative Action)