an XDm style single stack that is small and thin. women would flock to it. men would too but the biggest issue I come across with women I know is they are more scared of the bigger thicker feeling handguns. something smaller that fits their hands gives better control and that feeling is hard to do with a double stack grip. I think the bigger it is the more intimidated they are. at least its that way with some women I know. your mileage may vary.
I think you're partially right. Many women that I've worked with like the IDEA of a small gun. Then, they go to rack the slide ... and frequently can't. Or, they can't rack the slide as easily as they can with a full-size gun. That's when the little gun drops down the list a ways.
Then, they shoot the little gun ... and it drops to the bottom of the list.
Very few women who've tried my Kahr PM9 and Beretta 92FS end up preferring the Kahr. The 92FS is my only semi-auto that my wife actually enjoys shooting. The slide is easy and the recoil is next to nothing.