[atombath]

Engineers are respected for their ingenuity, intelligence, real-world problem-solving, studious determination, maybe even grit. These skills are on the opposite spectrum from vanity skills(presentation, socializing, marketing), which unfortunately are at the core of gendered expectations for girls. Since engineering skills actually reflect a depth of the holder(especially in our vanity driven world), they implicitly demand more respect. Really, more professional females in engineering is the only way forward for current gender issues. I would argue it's the same battle that must be fought to combat racism as well.