It depends. I was always taught to never hit a woman. When i started taking martial arts I also found this can be unfair to women. I'd never try to hit and hurt one of my fellow students be them male or female but I will now hit a women in context of class (sparring, self defense practice stuff). They are there to learn like the rest of us and am happy to treat them appropriately. Matter of fact when doing self defense I encourage them to really apply what they learn, I'd rather have a few extra bruises in class and have a classmate better prepared to defend themselves if the need arises. My 0.02.