[ChuteTheMall]

Another vote for .22 magnum, either in S&W 351pd or LCRx, but only if she can learn to safely de-cock a cocked hammer. This isn't difficult, but must be done safely.

Rimfire revolvers have the heavy DA trigger pull, but in SA the triggers are quite light.
Single Action revolvers were good enough for self defense for a long time, lots of women shoot cowboy action shooting, and DA is not that much faster for self defense.

It's also the simplest and safest possible handgun, if decocking can be mastered.
And a modern DA/SA revolver with swing-out cylinder is easy to confirm whether it's loaded. Unlike the bottom-feeders.

And .22 magnum ammo is not that expensive, often $16 for a box of 50 at Walmart, so an occasional range trip can bust a lot of caps on a budget, without much recoil.

Compare that price to any .32 revolver ammo, if you can find some.

If she prefers a semi-auto, the S&W EZ .380 is the optimal choice. If she really, really prefers a smaller pocket pistol, either the Ruger LCP-ll .22 Lite Rack, or the Kel-Tec P-32 which hits like a brick thru a plate-glass window.

Rent several for her to try, let her decide, don't badmouth her choice unless it's seriously foolish. Happy wife, happy life, be proud of her decision.