The close parking is so a heavily pregnant woman doesn't have to walk as far which is very difficult when a baby is pressing down on her cervix. It's like people getting temporary handicap parking stickers to park in handicap parking while they are injured and having a difficult time walking. It's not a "special" privilege... it's a "hey, you have a physical condition that makes it difficult/painful to walk far distances. While you are in this condition you can park closer to the store."

If you have a physical condition that makes walking difficult, then you also could park closer. Has nothing to do with race/gender only a physical condition.