One of my guesses from looking at atheist demographics in the US, which show atheists to more likely be white and male (similar to out homosexuals), is that people with more societal privilege have the luxury of being an atheist compared to other groups that still rely on religious organizations more due to not being as privileged in other ways. It's easier for a upper middle class male to ditch a community of believers and still be fine than it is a single minority mom in a lot of circumstances, especially where that community is one of the vital resources she needs in day to day life. In other words, intellectual honesty has its price, and it's not as high a price if you're more privileged in other ways.
The above relates more to the gender gap in demographics than in the leadership positions. I find those gaps are more likely due to the same reasons society as a whole has gender gaps in leadership roles. There is no belief inherent in atheism that women are to be treated differently in other words, or as second class.
There are, on the other hand, numerous religions that treat women very explicitly as second class citizens, and a lot of those religions' general membership is made up of more women than men. It's like the chickens electing Col. Sanders, but we see that all the time with 95 percent oF Republican voters. What's sad is their membership in an organization that treats them like second class citizens usually comes through childhood indoctrination, and the pressure to stay in that organization comes from social and financial necessities in many parts of the world, including parts of the US, rather than the belief system itself, which few know about or even have the luxury to are about.
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