Race and gender are notable aspects that greatly influence a community’s social and political lives. They are used to determine if a group of people poses the opportunity and the formal and informal resources necessary to win an election. Underrepresentation in Congress can be attributed to the available laws and policies (Sanbonmatsu, 2020). Some political parties have inclinations based on gender and race. Females are considered weak and cannot effectively execute roles and abilities. Political party actors, such as the voters and donors, tend to be biased against people of color and females. This is because of the political language of cultural expectations and reinforcement.
With time, a trend has developed in which more women and minorities are being represented. This change is associated with advancing people’s beliefs about females and marginalized communities. Additionally, the UN’s introduction of various policies, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), has also promoted the rise of women and minorities (Fitzgerald, 2020). The present times have been marked by fundamental freedom in the civil, economic, social, and political fields.
The underrepresentation of women and minorities has various effects on the congress business. This is because they are part of society, and their interests must be adequately catered to. The collective effort required to craft laws serving the whole population is compromised (Fitzgerald, 2020). For instance, matters such as women’s and children’s protection rights must be sufficiently established. Discrimination against minorities also increases even the Congress due to underrepresentation.
Every country should strive to attain equality in all aspects of national importance. This can be achieved through collective public participation in civic activities such as elections. More slots should be reserved for the minorities in Congress, such as through nominations. The government should advocate for fairness in the representation of women and minorities by formulating protective policies and laws. Activist bodies should also be supported and financed in their endeavors.
References
Fitzgerald, R. (2020). Latinas in Congress: Lack of party support and disproportionate underrepresentation. University of Mary Washington.
Sanbonmatsu, K. (2020). Women’s Underrepresentation in the US Congress. Daedalus, 149(1), 40-55. Web.