Real quick before I'm any later to work over this...
So back when I read the update that there was finally going to be an option for the unit designer to randomly alternate between male and female units, I was thinking, "Finally! Now I can make my own little Elemental: Majesty!" (Majesty, the only game where I played the demo about two dozen times, and then a few more even after I got the game.)
I didn't really think I'd have to spend 10% of my precious, precious civilization building points for a purely cosmetic flair. A puely cosmetic flair that should be there anyway since we've already got all the graphics options for the soveriegns (which is another thing I love about Elemental.) For just that same 1 point I could be getting more prestige to my cities, etc.! Anyway, I wanted to wait to post a "What the wha is this supposed to be helping?" until I had an actual replacer idea -- and I just got one making breakfast.
How about making alternating male/female (or adding a button option) a default we can all enjoy without a points penalty, and give us another unit option called Warrior Tradition or Warrior Spirit? It could give a relevant boost to unit defense or attack power, since we already have options for attack speed and health. I would personally love to have another option to help out my units in power/defense, however small.
I don't have a suggestion on the actual amount of boost, because I don't have a good sense of what would be balanced. 10%?