Which term refers to the act of speaking out or advocating for a cause?

The term that refers to the act of speaking out or advocating for a cause is "advocacy." Advocacy encompasses efforts to support or promote a particular cause, policy, or issue, often with the aim of influencing public opinion or driving actions toward change. This term implies a commitment to representing the interests of a group or an issue and actively working to bring attention to it.

Promoting typically involves supporting a product, service, or idea, but it's more commercial and less focused on a social or political cause. Publicity is concerned with gaining public visibility or awareness, which doesn't inherently involve the act of advocating for a change or supporting a specific cause. Engagement often refers to involvement or participation in a process or discussion, but does not specifically address the act of advocating or pushing for a particular issue. Thus, advocacy is the most precise term for the act of speaking out or supporting a cause.