It worked in attracting women (perhaps a certain kind of women, but still). That doesn't mean it didn't have side effects. I don't understand your problem with

It worked in attracting women (perhaps a certain kind of women, but still). That doesn't mean it didn't have side effects. I don't understand your problem with people criticizing some of the things they did. It's just saying they wouldn't be attracted to the conference. It's a piece of information the organizers can ignore or not, it's their conference. I suppose in economic terms it will work out because having more women will attract more men. What mix of people they'll have is another issue.