Even though some "back and forth" is now going on, I would like to comment on the origional question and maybe also on several other points.

I think that both the "average" woman OR man would gravitate to a group rather than continue alone. Why? Because the average person regardless of gendor has not prepared themselves or possess the physical and mental toughness to endure hardship over the long-term.

Is a woman of value in a situation involving long-term survival? Of course. She might just be the brains of the outfit that keeps everyone else safe....or not. I suspect that most people over estimate their abilities, anyway. After all, how many times have you read some armchair commando post about how they would just "live off the land". Yeah, right!

A small organized group could eek out an existance for awhile. But, it would take making the right decisions of a large, well-organized group to survive long-term and prosper, IMHO.

Regardless of what skills a woman may have and how well she is able to "get along", there is (and always will be) this one very important thing about a female, and that is SEX. A woman alone or even an unattached woman in a group will always be prey of sorts to interested males. Sorry gals, but in a SHTF sceanrio as described where rule of law is absent, you could find yourself being the evenings entertainment...for a lot of evenings! I mean to be blunt. I hope not to offend anyone, but what I've told you is simple truth. Do your preparations now with a group you are familiar with and trust.