affirmative action

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

afˌfirmative ˈaction [affirmative action] BrE NAmE (especially NAmE) (BrE usually ˌpositive disˌcriminˈation) noun uncountable
the practice or policy of making sure that a particular number of jobs, etc. are given to people from groups that are often treated unfairly because of their race, sex, etc.
compare ↑reverse discrimination
See also: ↑positive discrimination

Culture:
Americans are divided about the US government policy of affirmative action and often say it is ‘reverse discrimination’. It has existed since the 1960s, but the ↑Supreme Court has since decided against strict quotas (= numbers of people) and forcing affirmative action on private businesses. The more informal practice in Britain is sometimes known as ‘positive discrimination’.
See also ↑Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, See also ↑Equal Opportunities Commission
.

Example Bank:
•The City Council implemented the affirmative action hiring plan in response to critics' charges that the police department did not reflect the city's racial makeup.