I know quite a few female programmers. Almost all of them wanted to be something else, and only became programmers as a second choice. Another thought: compare

I know quite a few female programmers. Almost all of them wanted to be something else, and only became programmers as a second choice. Another thought: compared to other technical careers, programming careers are uncredentialed. No legal or even social prerequisites other than skill. If you want to be a doctor, you must apply to college, be accepted to college, matriculate, graduate with a degree in sciences. Then you must take the MCAT, apply to medical schools, be accepted to a medical school, graduate, apply to a residency, complete the residency, and become board certified. And then you are an entry level doctor, licensed to practice in a single state, with no job, no patients, no practice, and no insurance network contracts. If any of those steps are sexist/racist, a woman or minority is less likely to make it past that step. Programming doesn’t have as many gatekeepers. That’s good for people who have been kept out of things.