Interesting debate.
At the risk of being shot down, it's the big companies that do no one (especially girls) any favours. In their obsession with being PC and making the numbers look good, they tinker with the system.
My company has different standards in the cadet apptitude tests for men and women. Note different, not easier! Something about recognising the different qualities of both. ie generally men do better in the hand eye stuff than women and vice versa for the communication element. What a load of rubbish. Either you pass a set standard, which spots the apptitude for airline flying, or you don't, man or woman. Unfortunately with the standards as they were, not enough women were getting through the door. OK we'll just "adjust" the results then.
This does the majority of females no favours, because you end up with people in the system who are not up to it. Cue, throw cash at the problem, and just give them all the training it takes. Training your average bloke probably wouldn't get. End result women have to end up "proving themselves" for another 20 years.