The tech world’s grand plan to boost women in science and engineering is looking more like a spectacular face-plant than a triumphant breakthrough. Despite pouring millions into initiatives designed to get more women into STEM fields, California is seeing painfully slow progress - and we’re talking glacial-level movement.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Let’s break it down: Women are graduating with engineering degrees at a whopping… checks notes 25%. Computer science? Barely over 23%. Math and statistics? Hold onto your calculators, because those numbers are actually going backwards.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about spreadsheets and percentages. It’s about representation, opportunity, and breaking down systemic barriers that have kept women out of lucrative, innovation-driving careers. The tech industry needs diverse perspectives, and right now, it’s leaving half the population’s brainpower on the sidelines.

The Real Tea

Experts like Mayya Tokman from UC Merced are calling this a “cultural phenomenon,” not a biological limitation. Translation? It’s not that women can’t do math - it’s that the entire system is designed to make them feel like they don’t belong.

The pandemic and social justice movements have further complicated the landscape, with funding and attention shifting away from women in STEM. Some corporate foundations are even shying away from supporting diversity initiatives, proving that progress is never linear.

The silver lining? Badass women like Chloe Lynn at UC Berkeley are building communities, challenging norms, and proving that they absolutely belong in these spaces. One poster presentation at a time, they’re rewriting the narrative.

Game recognizes game, and right now, women in STEM are ready to level up - whether the system is ready or not.