Women in tech are still fighting an uphill battle that seems steeper than the San Francisco hills. Despite millions of dollars invested in pushing women into STEM careers, the progress has been frustratingly slow.

The numbers are pretty brutal: women comprise just a quarter of STEM careers in California, even though they make up 42% of the workforce. Engineering and computer science degrees have only inched up from around 19% to 25% for women over the past decade. Talk about a glacial pace of change.

The Cultural Disconnect

Experts argue this isn’t about women’s capabilities - it’s a cultural problem. Mayya Tokman from UC Merced points out that perceptions, education quality, and lack of role models are major barriers. Women are actually more likely to graduate in STEM fields at California State University campuses, proving they’ve got the chops.

Breaking Barriers, One Calculation at a Time

Take Chloe Lynn, a UC Berkeley math major who’s determined to change the narrative. She’s not just crunching numbers; she’s building community and showing that women belong in these spaces. Her research on resource allocation might just help earthquake-proof San Francisco - how’s that for making math matter?

The Funding Rollercoaster

Funding for women in STEM has been as unstable as a tech startup. Corporate foundations have pulled back support, with some even avoiding “controversial” terms like women, girls, and climate change. The state’s own education initiatives have seen budget cuts, sending a pretty clear message about commitment.

The bottom line? We need more women in STEM, not just for gender equality, but for innovation, economic growth, and solving real-world problems. Silicon Valley, are you listening?