Affirmative action: a way to reduce inequality

Abstract

The term affirmative action refers to those positive actions to reduce or, ideally, eliminate discriminatory practices against historically excluded sectors such as women or certain ethnic groups, sexual or racial. It then seeks to increase the representation of them, through preferential treatment for themselves and selection mechanisms desingned expressly and positively to these purposes. This article is about the term "affirmative action" in Mexico, and how the public policies, such as "Ley General de Igualdad para Mujeres y Hombres" tries to implement rules to reduce discriminatory practices.