Answer

Not exactly. In Jainism, it is not true that spiritual greatness is only for males.

• Siddhas are beyond gender. A liberated soul has no male or female identity.
• There are female ascetics in Jainism, such as Sādhvīs and, in Digambara tradition, Āryikās.
• The 24 Tirthankars of the current time cycle are traditionally understood to be male.
• Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus are the male titles; their female counterparts also exist in Jain monastic life.

So the more accurate question is: Why are the current Tirthankars male, while Jainism also honors women’s spiritual practice?

Explanation

Jain tradition explains this mainly through cosmic order and karmic conditions, not by saying women are spiritually inferior.

1) Siddha is beyond gender

A Siddha is a liberated soul. After liberation:

• there is no body,
• no gender,
• no male or female identity.

So a Siddha is not male or female.

2) Tirthankarhood is a rare cosmic role

A Tirthankar is not just a holy person. A Tirthankar is a very special soul who:

• attains omniscience,
• establishes the Jain fourfold community,
• and becomes a spiritual guide for the age.

In the present cosmic cycle, Jain tradition says the 24 Tirthankars have appeared in male bodies. This is understood as the result of deep karmic and cosmic conditions, not as a statement that women are incapable of spirituality.

3) Female renunciants do exist

Jainism has always had women in deep spiritual life:

• Śrāvikās / laywomen
• Sādhvīs / female ascetics
• Āryikās in Digambara tradition

They practice:

• vows,
• austerities,
• meditation,
• non-violence,
• and detachment.

4) Difference between traditions

Here Jain traditions differ:

• Śvetāmbara tradition: women can attain liberation.
• Digambara tradition: women are revered and can practice intensely, but moksha is attained after a male rebirth.

So if someone says “no females,” that is not a complete statement for all Jain traditions.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that the soul is neither male nor female in its pure form. Gender belongs to the body, but liberation belongs to the jīva when karma is fully destroyed.

The real measure in Jainism is:

• right faith,
• right knowledge,
• right conduct,
• and complete freedom from passions.

So Jainism does not deny spiritual dignity to women. Rather, it places the highest truth beyond body identity.

Takeaway

The highest Jain ideal is not male or female — it is the pure soul.

• Siddhas are beyond gender.
• Women can and do advance spiritually in Jainism.
• The current Tirthankars are male by tradition, but this should not be understood as spiritual superiority of men.

If you want, I can also explain this separately from the Śvetāmbara view and the Digambara view.