Here's another way to look at it, ATCNightmare: Instead of relying on statistics and numbers to decide what a person should or shouldn't do, why not let that person's interest and desires take precedence? The present "numbers data" shouldn't dictate one's future.
Case in point: when I began my professional flying career 17 years ago, there were very few female pilots in the USAF. Percentages were very low. I was the only woman in my pilot training class (out of 64 ... again a very low percentage). But it didn't matter. The instructors didn't differentiate me from the rest of the group -- the only thing they cared about was: 1) how hard was I working, and 2) did I meet the standards. Sometimes I felt like I had to work a bit harder than my classmates, but that was probably due more to personal pride than anything else.
Through the years, I've seen again and again that hard work and high job performance is what determines success in this career field, male and female alike.
People can wind themselves up over numbers, but the bottom line is this: the career field is open to men and women, and it's up to the individual to work hard to succeed in it.