Final answer:
While men generally have more testosterone which facilitates larger muscle growth, women can also build muscle through weight training. However, the overall muscle mass and the rate of muscle development will vary due to physiological differences between genders as well as individual genetic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether men and women can build muscle equally with the right type of weight workout is nuanced. Generally, men can build larger muscles than women due to higher levels of the hormone testosterone. However, this doesn't mean women cannot build muscle; they can and do, but the overall muscle mass and the rate at which it is built differ due to physiological differences. Men have a greater initial muscle mass and a lower body fat percentage, contributing to a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Responses to muscle-building exercises vary among individuals. While some people can develop larger muscles owing to a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, others might not see similar results. It is also false that all people have the same proportion of slow-twitch to fast-twitch muscle fibers; there is a great variation among individuals that affects their capacity for muscle growth.
For effective strength training, both men and women need to increase the intensity of their workouts progressively. This means lifting heavier weights over time to challenge the muscles to grow. So, women are capable of building muscle, just as men are, although the absolute size and strength gains might be comparatively less for women.