It seems ridiculous to think that we still elect one person and charge them with representing 600,000 individuals of different classes, races, genders, professions and political affiliations. The single member district psychology provides few choices and discourages the participation of nontraditional candidates. And of course women don't fair much better in the legislative bodies of our states, towns and cities. These PR systems come in many forms but they are based on the principle that groups of like minded voters can win seats in proportion to their share of the vote. When a woman's party formed and ran candidates in Iceland a few years ago, it won its fair share of seats right from the start.
Parties win seats in proportion to their share of the electorate.
Not surprisingly, women comprise a much greater percentage of the party list seats than the single-member district seats. It is also the case that women's parties are viable and thriving in a number of European democracies and their influence on the more traditional parties is significant. Even in countries without distinct women's parties, women as voters have more power because the parties cannot take any votes for granted if they are to retain their seats. Proportional systems allow voters greater meaningful choices and politicians greater ability to enact meaningful legislation. I should add that there is a growing movement for proportional systems in this country.