But shwetambars believe that she was female
In Jainism, there are 24 Tirthankaras, and all of them are traditionally understood to be male. The Shwetambar and Digambar traditions both affirm this for the Tirthankaras themselves.
What Shwetambar texts and practice do sometimes emphasize are female beings who are revered in other roles:
- Yakshinis/Yakshinis (goddesses associated with Tirthankaras) are female deities who inspire or protect, but they are not Tirthankaras.
- There are celebrated female sadhvis or jains who attained liberation, but they are not counted among the 24 Tirthankaras.
If you’re referring to a specific figure or story (a particular “she” in a text or tradition), please name it and I can explain exactly how that figure is treated in Digambar and Shwetambar sources, always noting where traditions differ.