The word is for either gender, and when you use it in a sentence, it gives encouragement to the person you are calling that, it tells them that you consider them cute and
with a sort of ownership.
a pig raised by sheepdogs, learns to herd sheep with a little help from Farmer Hoggett..... men should never use this term because it may seem like you are calling them a pig..raised by sheepdogs.
guy: hey babe;)
girl: umm im not a pig from the 1995 movie "babe" ...kay thanks bai:)