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The dohyo (platform) which the match is fought on, is blessed by a shinto priest. Unfortunately, in shinto religion, women are unclean and therefore cannot enter the ring area. Recently, this was a major issue as the champion's prize was to be awarded by the governor of Osaka (at the time, a woman). She had to send a male representative in her place.
On a side note, there is sumo wrestling for women, but it is treated more like a novelty in Japan, and it isn't taken very seriously.
Sure, women can sumo wrestle. But if you are asking about competition, women sumo wrestlers can only compete at the amateur level. In fact, women sumo wrestlers are not allowed to enter the sumo wrestling ring as they are considered "unclean" when they menstruate.
Women are allowed to be sumo wrestlers but for now they can only compete at the amateur level.