Juila Gillard’s had a very big week, forming a partnership with Rihanna in support of global education and continuing her speaking around the world.
But she still found time for this ‘Coffee Talk’ with Global Citizen, a delightful little reminder of what it means to be a first female leader and what the former PM is now getting up to in promoting girls’ education. She also reflected on visiting her old school as PM, and having report cards presented in front of the television cameras. They revealed a “failing in home economics.,” she said.
Asked if Australia can expect to see another female PM any time soon, Gillard was pragmatic in her response. She said she expects the leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten to be there for some time and noted the fact AUstralians had just elected a prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull. “I think there will be another female prime minister. I don’t think it will happen in the short term,” she said.
What she is hoping for in the short term is for Hillary Clinton to get elected and become the first female US president. “I hope if we see Hillary Clinton as president that’s a global inspirational moment,” she said. “Hillary’s showing how robust she is in the face of some ridiculous criticism.”
Asked her advice for women facing constant criticism, particularly gender-related criticism, Gillard said it’s important to “nurture a very strong sense of self”. She said that allows you to detach from the criticism and to have the ability to analyse the situation without succumbing to raw emotions. She added she’s still continually approached by people about her misogyny speech in Parliament.
Watch the interview for yourself below.