Refers to a person who advocates for women's rights and gender equality. Often used in historical or political contexts.
She is known as a passionate feminist.
19th-century feminists fought for suffrage.
フェミニスト is a more common, modern loanword for 'feminist', while 女権論者 is a Sino-Japanese term that can sound more formal or historical.
Compound of 女権 (women's rights) + 論者 (advocate, theorist). The term emerged in the context of early feminist movements in Japan.