"there is no reason at all why women should not sing them"
That's why the question is misleadingly worded - it should have beed CAN women sing them and do justice to them
Personally, I believe shanties sung by choirs sound daft
For vivid proof of this, seek out the BBC recording (made in the 1950s) of genuine shantyman, Stanly Slade singing 'Blow the Man Down' accompanied by the BBC Choir - wouldn't get a rowing boat across Sefton Park Lake !!
Jim Carroll