What is feminism?
Feminism is a term that unites various, manifold and often contradicting concepts, strategies and movements. Frequently, this leads the term to be used in its plural form: feminisms. Feminism is an enlightening and critical theory, as much as a global political movement with a tradition spanning over 200 years.
‘Feminism is partisan. Despite its large number of constituent concepts and its contradictions, it remains a voice for the rights of women which articulates female interests and demands recognition. The utopian goal of feminism is the radical transformation of hierarchical gender relations. In the view of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, as we are still confronted with hegemonic masculinity, this issue is far from becoming a thing of the past.’ Barbara Unmüßig, president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, quoted in: Gender Politics Makes a Difference.