Former Australian PM Julia Gillard on sexism in politics
25 February 2014 Last updated at 19:36 GMT
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard faced a very difficult period during her time at the top.
Aside from run-of-the-mill political accusations of policy flip-flops and broken promises, it was her gender, and the fact that she had no children, that also prompted sustained public abuse.
Eight months after losing her job, she is about to take on a new role as chair of the Board of Directors at the Global Partnership for Education in Washington DC.
In a rare interview, Ms Gillard spoke to the BBC's Tim Franks about her treatment in politics and plans for the future.