I would imagine because women are under-represented in this field, so naturally we have to weight gender over qualifications. It's just the way things are. I wish it wasn't and qualifications/ability played a 100% part in these decisions.

> I would imagine because women are under-represented in this field,

So the ones in the field have passed a higher barrier and pressure and are more qualified than the p80 male.

This could be another spin on the topic ;)

You're assuming the Left stayed out of technology, and we still run a meritocracy.