Can women perform Pitrupaksha rites?

Yes. While the primary performer in classical texts is the eldest son, the living tradition widely accepts daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, and other female relatives as performers when the male line is unavailable. Some regional traditions have always been more inclusive of women’s participation in ancestral rites. What matters most is the sincerity of the offering and the proper conduct of the ceremony under the guidance of a qualified pandit.