the range of social movements and ideologies that strive for equality between men and women, in regards to all facets of life – such as in regards to politics, economics, society and on a personal basis; and to fight for the rights of women within those institutions – some of the key fights that have taken place under feminism are the rights to vote, hold office, their own property and assets, access to education, equal rights within marriage and maternity leave.

It is wrong, however, to assume that feminism is only concerned with the lives of women: indeed, feminism has, and continues to push, for equality that will benefit men too, and to liberate men from the harmful ideals and social norms that are detrimental to them (and, as a result to others too), such as toxic masculinity, the normalisation of house-husbandry (that is, male parents who opt to fulfil the role mothers traditionally filled, for example, being a stay-at-home parent) and parental leave for men.

Feminism has been criticised by both men and women who subscribe to traditional and conservative views (such as those based on religious doctrine), on the basis that it “undervalues” traditional “feminine” aspects (e.g. like motherhood). Although there are fringe movements within the broad church of feminism that may disparage or discourage such things, feminism is typically concerned with giving women the agency to choose.

Other aspects of feminism that have been criticised are that feminism has, at times, been concerned with the concerns of women with privilege: for example, concerned with issues related to white, middle-class, educated, heterosexual and cisgender women; feminism that seeks to address issues that aren’t limited to such perspectives is known as intersectional feminism.