Here is a diversity issue that is independent of genetics or national origin. While companies have become more sensitive to family responsibilities and have created part-time, telecommuting, and other options to retain people, they may not be as good at helping people when they are ready to shift into high gear again. Mentors and sponsors play a large role in a person's chance of reigniting a career. For good positions with career potential, there are usually several qualified candidates. A sponsor often influences who secures the slot.
Women have difficulty finding sponsors.
Men may hesitate to take on the sponsor role because of the potential liability of sexual innuendo. Female mentors and sponsors are also scarce. There are still some women, who enjoy the queen-bee role, that don't want other female competition. More common are women who do not feel secure enough in their positions to mentor other women. Whether they realize it, this group of women fear that by helping other women they will link their job category with women, thereby creating a female ghetto that diminishes their own job status.