Couchsurfing isn't just for finding hosts. Personally, as a long-time host I would choose to host people who seem to be more engaged with the community and have

Couchsurfing isn't just for finding hosts. Personally, as a long-time host I would choose to host people who seem to be more engaged with the community and have also hosted in the past, over someone who has a history of just surfing, any day. You didn't mention having hosted, which could be a big contributing factor in having a hard time finding a host (not trying to arrange hosting 1-3 weeks in advance may be another one). That being said, I agree with you that women on couchsurfing seem to have it much easier in many respects. However, to me, I let a CSer's history speak for itself. When people (male or female) have requested to surf with me in the past, there have only been a few times I've accepted if they hadn't hosted prior. It comes across badly to try to receive help from a community that you haven't shown an interest in contributing to.