What is meant by "affirmative action"?

Affirmative action refers to policies designed to improve opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in various areas such as employment, education, and contracts. The objective is to counteract the effects of past discrimination and to promote diversity and inclusion by providing these marginalized communities with better access and opportunities.

This approach often involves proactive steps taken by organizations to recruit, hire, and retain individuals from these groups to create a more balanced workforce that reflects the community or population. This is distinct from simply prohibiting discrimination or offering equal pay, as affirmative action actively seeks to level the playing field by addressing systemic inequalities rather than merely enforcing nondiscrimination policies.