Hayao Miyazaki uses female protagonist not because it is more "PC" but for the advancement of the story.
'Miyazaki: I don't logically plan it that way. When we compare a man in action and a girl in action, I feel girls are more gallant. If a boy is walking with a long stride, I don't think anything particular, but if a girl is walking gallantly, I feel "that's cool." '
I accept it's not specifically because it's PC, but that's not advancement of the story, that's just him applying his own perceptions and prejudices.
A girl walking a particular way isn't more significant than a boy walking in a particular way, he just sees it as such.
Generally in these situations it's best not to worry too much about the intentions the person had and just look at the end result. After all, intentions will often be unclear, lied about, recollection of why something was may change over time and so on.
It's interesting to hear what someone says, but what they actually produce is more important.
'Miyazaki: I don't logically plan it that way. When we compare a man in action and a girl in action, I feel girls are more gallant. If a boy is walking with a long stride, I don't think anything particular, but if a girl is walking gallantly, I feel "that's cool." '