"but the reality is that there are more women who want these jobs than are represented in the current numbers."

So? There are many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many,  more men who want these jobs than are represented in the current numbers. It would seem that given this imbalance, it is the men who should be given consideration. Instead, we just assume that either they aren't good enough, are not family of the company's owners or did not lie effectively on their resume.

To give preferential treatment in the hiring, retention and promotion of women - as has been the standard operating approach in corporations and governments since the mid 1970s - is highly unfair to men and just results in women rapidly getting beyond the level of their competence. Perhaps, this is the real reason so many claim they are stopped by the so called glass ceiling. Meanwhile, the young males who didn't get the job and promotion they deserved are tarred by this unintended slur.