Final answer:
Women accounted for about 27 percent of both houses of Congress as of June 2021, reflecting an underrepresentation given they make up over half of the U.S. population. Women's participation in state legislatures stood at about 31 percent, marking progress but still indicating the need for greater gender equality in political representation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although women make up more than half of the U.S. population, they only accounted for about 27 percent of both houses of Congress as of June 2021. This underrepresentation extends to state legislatures as well, with women holding about 31 percent of seats. It is important to recognize that these percentages represent a significant increase from the past, as women's representation has been progressively increasing, reaching a record number of 120 women serving in the House and 24 in the Senate in 2021.
Despite the progress, these figures reflect a disparity when compared to the gender makeup of the general U.S. population. This difference emphasizes the ongoing need for more equal representation to ensure that the wide array of perspectives and experiences inherent to the population is adequately represented in decision-making processes. Movements for change and increasing participation of women in politics are essential steps toward achieving this goal.