John Smith wrote:
"special interest group"... what next, "Lesbian hams?"

The women are NOT there on the bands--you claim they are "hiding", well
great--they still ain't there in any REAL sense!

So what is this hang-up you have about women, why do you think the bands
should be populated with lots of women hams? As a whole, women aren't
attracted to a technical hobby like ham radio. Ever go out to the model
airplane radio control field? See lots of women there flying toy
airplanes? How many women get their pilots license as compared to men?
Ever go to a quilting meeting? How many men did you see there?
Ever go to an antique radio swap meet? You will find a lot more men
collecting and fixing old radios than women. Do you collect dolls, tea
sets, china dishes? No? Lots of women do.

When I taught Novice classis some years ago, there were always several
women in the class and they ejoyed learning the code as much as anyone.

There are things that interest men as a hobby and things that interest
women as a hobby, and most often they are different things.
If all you can see is doom and gloom for ham radio, I suggest you go
back to the 'freeband' where you seem to think radio life is great.