The Gap has not closed in two decades for a reason. We know "illegal" discrimination accounts for ~5% of the Gap but the remaining portion has been pretty much covered in many of the comments you've already read

My concern/question is why the Gap has not narrowed given the countless Affirmative Action programs (even quotas) and Female specific policies / benefits implemented by both Public and Private employers. This been a huge cost in dollars, resources, time, energy and at the expense of others that may have been more worthy of a job or a promotion. This is another Social Engineering ploy that has essentially achieved nothing. Why?

Time to face up to the truth before implementing anything more.