A side kick or back kick to the shin or knee can also be damaging to the attacker's leg. Other good targets for kicks are the sciatic nerve, the back of the knee, the side of the knee and the instep. If you have the flexibility, the solar plexus is a good target, especially for a side kick or a back kick. This way the kick is less likely to be blocked or evaded, and the attacker cannot grab your leg as you attempt to kick. The fist is not normally considered a good weapon for women to use.
Many women have long nails, and it is impossible to make a good, tight fist with long nails.
If you intend to use your fist as a weapon, I would recommend keeping your nails trimmed short and concentrating on the nose, solar plexus and groin as your intended targets. Also, contact training is of the utmost importance to strengthen and condition your wrists and knuckles for impact. Focus gloves serve this purpose well. There are many things that you need to be aware of in a self defense situation. This puts your most powerful striking weapons closer to the target where they stand a better chance of landing without obstruction.