I like things as they are. This is another slippery slope to introducing politics into UrW.
I hear you but by your rationale politics are already in the game. When was the last time you got a quest from a female Npc or saw a female hunter or found one will to travel with you? There is a balance between current societal norms and the norms of the game's historical fiction setting. I think big elk has struck that balance well. The PC can be male or female no plus or malus to gender, it a cosmetic difference. While the NPCs somewhat conform to the gender norms of the iron age north.
@JEB Davis your right they wouldn't be likely to be carrying them but I rather they do for balance of playability vrs realism tempered by what I would assume to be easier to code and use existing trade mechanics. But even better the addition Npc crafting and professions via Ask. Hello could you bake me some bread I'll trade you these two rabbits. Yes come back I half an hour. Could you carve me a special punt with the force of water. Bring me a long felled in the rain and come back in a month.