More women need to run and to be supported in their run for office specifically because they're women. I can't tell you how much I hate the idea of having to look at it like that - I prefer to support people because of their professed ideas, ideals, agendas, character, and record - but after the anger and betrayal of the Dem support for the Stupak amendment, it's imperative if women's rights are to be protected.
As Digby points out, the numbers tell the story:
There are only 76 women in the House out of 435 --- 17%. 59 of them are Democrats and 17 are Republicans. Three of the Democrats are non-voting members (DC, Virgin Islands and Guam.)
Out of the 56 women in the Democratic caucus, only two voted for Stupak. All 17 Republican women voted for it.
What this adds up to is that 97% of the Democrats who voted for the Stupak amendment were male. 90% of the Republicans were male.
I would have to guess that if more than 17% of the congress were women, there would be a little bit less likelihood that women's rights would be so often used as a handy tool to placate neanderthals.
There are simply not enough elected women to protect women's rights. I think we can't rely on the men we elect to do it.