I'd use the example of the Star Trek figures they had out (haven't seen any for a long time) where they literally made figures for any significant (and some not so significant) characters. They made they women and some that only appeared on occasion (or died later!). But Star Trek has its own fan base and, despite the fact that the figures were in the "toy" section, I suspect more adults bought them (I wasn't an adult then). The collectors would want to be able to collect all of them and the neglect of the women would have created backlash.

I collected most of the women because there weren't as many of them and they still were cool. It was nice to have some female role models. Yes, I played with them and I didn't like my brother playing with them because he wasn't careful with them!

Also, I'm not sure they qualify as action figures. But I think that's the best discription for them.

I can take a picture of them if you would like me to!