I agree it does look cruel but it's not really, in these situations your totally aware of what your signing up to from the beginning and it's just the nature of the work. The radio station has to protect itself and its advertisers etc as well.
I worked in a different field but when I was let go with immediate effect it wasn't done in a cruel or humiliating way its just par for the course really a meeting is arranged and your briefed on the logistics and numbers on why its not working and then its out the gap, your arse has hardly left the chair before it's filled and that's just business.
I've met the person who let me go in a social type situation with my current employment (where I am for many years since and it's just a much better fit) and he's a really nice guy who was just doing his job that he's paid to do.
I'm still not convinced gender makes a bit of difference to be honest, listnership figures and listener satisfaction are what matters not whether it's a male or female radio presenter just the best person for the job