An Open Letter to the Open Source Community

[chombee]

I wonder if the problem is serious enough that it merits its own entry
in the code of conduct, and in the introductory messages found on
mailing lists, forums, IRC channels? Perhaps with a link to this:
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Encourage-Women-Linux-HOWTO/ and/or to groups like
ubuntu women.

That might make women feel more comfortable entering those channels, and
more confident to speak out and defend themselves if need be. That is,
they'll feel more confident that the community will help them if they do
so, and will have something obvious to point to. Also might discourage
some sexism from occurring in the first place, and encourage people not
to stand by and watch it happen.