That would only be the case if GC teams and players hadn't been playing exponentially better and better every single year, which they have.
It is visible in NACL open qualifiers runs like those of SR and Burgerville, and Brazil Challengers open qualifiers runs like that of TL Brazil, especially when you consider that V1 last year couldn't even make it out of the closed qualifiers.
It's also visible in their gameplay if you compare the vods of SR vs G2 Gozen in 2022 with SR vs TL Brazil in 2023.
It's doing its job as far as development goes, although Riot never gives it any marketing which is a huge issue it faces.
Even if it did take 5 years, whether it takes 1 year or 6 years, seeing non-male players more prominently in challengers and in VCT would be an overwhelming success, not just for esports but society in general