feminism

noun2

1. •
   A social theory or political movement which argues that legal and social restrictions on women must be removed in order to bring about equality of the sexes in all aspects of public and private life.

   • Women are still forbidden to smoke there... Ardent though we are in feminism, we applaud this stand... — 1926
2. •
   (no longer used) The state of being feminine; femininity.

   • His hair is delicate and silky, and of a light chesnut[sic]—one of M. Lorrain's signs of feminism. — 1875