[chrisbroadfoot]

Because diversity is important and hugely valuable. You shouldn't have to compromise on talent in order to achieve diversity.

Why aren't there more talented female developers? And if they're out there, why aren't they applying for these jobs?

[hugh3]

Is that proven? Is it intuitively clear? What makes us think that a mixed team of programmers is better than a homogeneous one? Maybe it is in some cases, and isn't in others.

[SpikeGronim]

Several studies have reproduced a correlation between diversity and organizational success. I don't know of such a study for programmers specifically. I also haven't seen proof of causality - do better organizations have diverse hiring practices, or vice versa? But I've never seen a study that said that lack of diversity was a good thing. So far the evidence weighs towards diversity being better for your organization, though I wouldn't call it "proven".

[makmanalp]

I think if you're making a claim like this, you should point people to the studies.

[SpikeGronim]

You're right and I would prefer to link. It comes up in The Economist from time to time. I can't find the links right now.