It is not simply a minhag, but a halachic issue.I n the Brisker circles and other communities here in EY many women also do not fast on the short fast days, only TB and YK. From what I understand, it’s for 1 of at least 2 reasons. One is the fasts are meant only for healthy people and women in our times are consider svach (weak), so are unable to fast. Second, the Briskers are very makpid on venishmartem me’od lenafshoseichem, so the woman do not fast even when they are not pregnant or nursing. My daughter does fast, as do I, but we don’t seem to have a hard time fasting. If my next daughter, who will be bas mitzvah next month, has a hard time fasting, then I will ask my husband to ask a shailah.
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