There are plenty of women out there that could out shoot male shooters any day of the week. Glock employees a lot of them on their shooting teams. Of course some of them are held as "sexy oddities" because they are attractive, and they indulge their 'fans' likewise.
The perception of women shooting guns has shifted over the years... a little slower than it should have. But as far as the retail market goes, Manufacturers like Glock, Ruger, Kimber, Bersa, Smith & Wesson, and Taurus have designed small concealable pistols that can easily fit into purses, concealed body hostlers, or simply in a pocket. They've definitely come a long way from the 2 shot derringer that has terrible accuracy. I know 3 of my female friends that carry. Grandma may not be able to handle a .45 but that .380 or 9mm in hollow point will take any man down, especially with 6-10 shots in the mag. With all the crazies and rapists out there, sometimes mace or tasers just wont cut it. I've seen videos of people hyped up on some bad shit and 3 cops not able to bring him down with tasers. That crazy ex-husband may not care about a restraining order, or that homeless guy desperate for the pills that landed him there may lurk in the corner eyeballing that purse. It shouldn't be socially weird that a women or the elderly carry, they are both viewed as "easy targets" for sick people looking for a victim. Sometimes just pointing a piece at an unsuspecting foe is enough to get them to back off... if they don't? Their demise is a result of their own foolishness. I carry because I like to target shoot, and because of dumbshits that can't drive, don't follow the rules of the road, and then act like you are in the wrong when they perceived that you have wronged them. I don't do road rage, and ill drop anyone that thinks they need to get out of their vehicle to assault me because I didn't let them in front of me when they broke the law in trying to do so in the first place.
A few favorite stories of the week.
Elderly: http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/man-shot-near-martin-luther-king-jr-high-school-in-detroit
Woman:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57562397-504083/georgia-mother-hides-children-shoots-intruder-5-times-during-home-invasion-police-say/
Physically disabled:
http://www.easybakegunclub.com/news/2814/Disabled-veteran-scares-off-intruder-with-9mm-%28Geo.html#.URbnh2dZN8F