Analysis of the Sentence
1. Identify the relationship: The sentence establishes a contrast between two generations of Roman women activists.
- Predecessors: Were more nationalist than feminist.
- Younger Generation: Are more inclined to $\_\_\_\_$ women's rights and create organizations focused primarily on women's issues.
2. Determine the required meaning: Because the younger generation is more feminist and focusing specifically on women's issues, they must be actively supporting, promoting, or defending women's rights, in contrast to their nationalist-focused predecessors who likely prioritized national issues over feminist ones.
3. Contrast with the context: We need words that mean support or advocate for.

Evaluating the Options
We need a synonym pair meaning to actively support or defend.
- A. expand: To make larger. (Too literal; doesn't convey active support.)
- B. de-emphasize: To reduce the importance of. (Opposite of the required meaning.)
- C. champion: To support the cause of; advocate for. (Strong Fit)
- D. idealize: To regard as perfect. (Irrelevant to active political support.)
- E. downplay: To make something seem less important. (Synonym for de-emphasize and opposite of the required meaning.)
- F. defend: To protect from danger or threat. (Strong Fit)

Both champion and defend fit the context, indicating that the younger generation actively supports and advocates for women's rights.

The correct answers are $\(\mathbf{C}\)$. champion and $\(\mathbf{F}\)$. defend.