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How much protein do women actually need?
Protein recommendations are given per kilogram of body weight, not by sex — but average body weight differences mean the absolute gram targets often look different for women in practice.
The RDA and training targets are the same formula
The protein RDA of 0.8 g/kg and the higher 1.4-2.0 g/kg range for people who train apply the same way regardless of sex — there's no separate "women's protein RDA" in the research.[1] What differs is that average body weight is lower for women than men, so the same per-kilogram target produces a lower absolute gram number — that's a body-weight effect, not a different requirement.
Where it matters in practice
Two things are worth knowing specifically: pregnancy and breastfeeding meaningfully raise protein needs above baseline, and women in a calorie deficit trying to preserve muscle benefit from the same higher end of the 1.6-2.2 g/kg range recommended for anyone dieting while training.[2] Neither of those is about sex directly — they're about a higher physiological demand, the same way a larger training volume raises requirements for anyone.
Rather than using a generic "women's" number, calculate your own target from your actual body weight and goal.
Keep reading: How much protein do you need per day? · Macros for fat loss · High-protein foods list