It absolutely is, and it works against anyone not in the club. I was once told by a GM in my company whom I knew outside of work, "you will apply for this job and get it. Then you will apply for that job's manager's job and get it. After that I won't be able to help you." Once I got outside his sphere of influence, I no longer had anyone advocating for me and haven't been able to get any new jobs, lateral or promotion, since. To be fair, I'm not a great employee and have risen to the level of my incompetence; but I've seen other people get promotions who were not as good at the job as me because they do more of the company social stuff.

And I know that those networks definitely favor men in my industry. So you're right, even if there isn't outright, noticeable discrimination against women; strong bias exists.

that is gender agnostic. as s man i can tell you I've been excluded from most opportunities because i am not socially skilled.

on the flip, I've neen told by appartment owners that i can't live there because he felt the other renters (women, all) eould be uncomfortable with a man as a neighbor.

i did not go to the equal opportunity organization to complain. besides, as a man i'd be laughed at and dismissed anyway.

Women currently dominate the job market and educational institutions both as students and teachers. women get the vast majority of grants and discounts for college.

it's really men who are being discriminated against because "patriarchy". i am an ex-feminist, btw.