> Why is this? What is the ethical justification for why addressing the gender imbalance in STEM/software engineering should be such an urgent moral priority?
Probably just because $$$. Have you ever seen someone advocate for more female coal miners or truck drivers?
Not everyone embraces the long haul trucking lifestyle, there's a much higher percentage of women in fork lifts, bob cats, and the uncounted by that poll (which is freight haul trucking only) dream job - remote 100 tonne haul pak operator.
These are all closer to home, have better hours, somewhat better pay for the light machines and exceptional rates for the Haulpaks.
Probably just because $$$. Have you ever seen someone advocate for more female coal miners or truck drivers?