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Not Now, Not Ever: Ten years on from the misogyny speech
Then it was done. After staying silent, I’d had my say. At no time did I feel worked up or hotly angry. I felt strong, measured, controlled. Yet emotion did play its role in the energy of the speech. The frustration that sexism and misogyny could still be so bad in the twenty-first century. The toll of not pointing it out.
On 9 October 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard stood up and proceeded to make all present in Parliament House that day pay attention – and left many of them squirming in their seats. The incisive ‘misogyny speech’, as her words came to be known, continues to energise and motivate women who need to stare down sexism and misogyny in their own lives.
With contributions from Mary Beard, Jess Hill, Jennifer Palmieri, Katharine Murphy and members of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, Julia Gillard explores the history and culture of misogyny, tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox, intersectionality, and gender and misogyny in the media and politics.
Kathy Lette looks at how the speech has gained a new life on TikTok, as well as inspiring other tributes and hand-made products, and we hear recollections from Wayne Swan, Anne Summers, Cate Blanchett, Brittany Higgins and others of where they were and how they first encountered the speech.
While behaviours may have improved since the misogyny speech, there remains a way to go and Julia Gillard explores the roadmap for the future with next-generation feminists Sally Scales, Chanel Contos and Caitlin Figueiredo to motivate us with that rallying cry: Not now, not ever!
Proceeds from the book will go to the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL).
On 9 October 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard stood up and proceeded to make all present in Parliament House that day pay attention – and left many of them squirming in their seats. The incisive ‘misogyny speech’, as her words came to be known, continues to energise and motivate women who need to stare down sexism and misogyny in their own lives.
With contributions from Mary Beard, Jess Hill, Jennifer Palmieri, Katharine Murphy and members of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, Julia Gillard explores the history and culture of misogyny, tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox, intersectionality, and gender and misogyny in the media and politics.
Kathy Lette looks at how the speech has gained a new life on TikTok, as well as inspiring other tributes and hand-made products, and we hear recollections from Wayne Swan, Anne Summers, Cate Blanchett, Brittany Higgins and others of where they were and how they first encountered the speech.
While behaviours may have improved since the misogyny speech, there remains a way to go and Julia Gillard explores the roadmap for the future with next-generation feminists Sally Scales, Chanel Contos and Caitlin Figueiredo to motivate us with that rallying cry: Not now, not ever!
Proceeds from the book will go to the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL).
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2022
286 people are currently reading
4057 people want to read
About the author
Julia Gillard
4 books125 followersOn 24 June 2010 Julia Gillard became Australia's 27th Prime Minister and the first woman to hold the office. She was elected unopposed by the Parliamentary Labor Party.
Before becoming Prime Minister, she served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 in Kevin Rudd's Labor government, where she was Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for Education, and Minister for Social Inclusion.
On 26 June 2013, Gillard was defeated in a leadership ballot by Rudd, who was sworn in as Prime Minister the following day, 27 June. She announced that she would not contest her seat at the forthcoming election and was retiring from politics.
She was the federal Member for Lalor (Victoria) and was first elected to Parliament in 1998.
Before becoming Prime Minister, she served as Deputy Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010 in Kevin Rudd's Labor government, where she was Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for Education, and Minister for Social Inclusion.
On 26 June 2013, Gillard was defeated in a leadership ballot by Rudd, who was sworn in as Prime Minister the following day, 27 June. She announced that she would not contest her seat at the forthcoming election and was retiring from politics.
She was the federal Member for Lalor (Victoria) and was first elected to Parliament in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
October 18, 2022
another slay by miss gillard if u ask me
November 10, 2022
Where was I when Julia Gillard made her ‘misogyny speech’? I’m not entirely sure where I was while the speech was being made, but I certainly know where I was when I heard it on the news that evening. In the kitchen, making dinner for my (ex) husband and three children. I had only recently moved to the outback of Queensland, giving up a well-paid and very rewarding job so that my (ex) husband could take one that would further his own career. I was already regretting the move and resenting my sacrifice. This seed of resentment would grow and grow and continue to grow, like a weed that just can’t be killed. But at that point, as I paused in my cooking to listen to our Prime Minister deliver a speech so filled with truth and poised rage, I felt seen. My admiration for Julia Gillard sky-rocketed on that night, and I have loved her since.
Not Now, Not Ever is a book I have been looking forward to reading since I first heard of its release earlier this year. It did not disappoint. I particularly enjoyed the recollections at the end of each chapter from various people on where they were and what they thought at the time of the speech. And of course, the parts written by Julia herself were a highlight. I have done a lot of feminist study and feminist reading throughout and since my university days, so much of the historical context on sexism and misogyny offered by some of the contributors was not new to me. I more enjoyed the anecdotal sections, particularly about the deplorable state of our Australian parliament within the context of misogyny in action.
The new wave of feminism is here but there is still a long way to go. Books like this are essential to creating awareness and momentum. I think it would be an incredible asset to the Australian education reading list for seniors – as a teaching tool, it would be phenomenal. As a book to read for information and entertainment, I highly recommend it for that also.
Book 16 of my 22 in 2022 challenge.
Not Now, Not Ever is a book I have been looking forward to reading since I first heard of its release earlier this year. It did not disappoint. I particularly enjoyed the recollections at the end of each chapter from various people on where they were and what they thought at the time of the speech. And of course, the parts written by Julia herself were a highlight. I have done a lot of feminist study and feminist reading throughout and since my university days, so much of the historical context on sexism and misogyny offered by some of the contributors was not new to me. I more enjoyed the anecdotal sections, particularly about the deplorable state of our Australian parliament within the context of misogyny in action.
The new wave of feminism is here but there is still a long way to go. Books like this are essential to creating awareness and momentum. I think it would be an incredible asset to the Australian education reading list for seniors – as a teaching tool, it would be phenomenal. As a book to read for information and entertainment, I highly recommend it for that also.
Book 16 of my 22 in 2022 challenge.
December 24, 2022
‘We cannot change the past, but the past can inspire us to campaign and change the future. My most sincere hope is for that to be the ongoing role of the misogyny speech.’
On 9 October 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered what is now known as the ‘misogyny speech’ in the Australian Parliament House. I heard about it on the television news that evening. And now, ten years later, I wonder how much progress has been made.
‘The many forms of sexism mean that it is sometimes hard to label sexist behaviour as such …’
The book includes the misogyny speech in full, together with the scrawled notes Ms Gillard used as prompts. Rereading the speech reminds me of the fire with which it was delivered and the hope so many of us had that improvement would be immediate and obvious. Alas ‘…the World Economic Forum estimates it will take 136 years for us to reach gender equality globally.’
There are three parts to this book: Part One includes reflections on the speech; Part Two covers misogyny past and present; and Part Three is about fighting misogyny.
I was particularly drawn to the various personal reflections on the speech, and thoroughly enjoyed Kathy Lette’s article. Yes, humour is important. Chapter Six: ‘Sexism today: Tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox’ is worth reading. As the authors write, we need to be able to identify and understand the various forms of sexism and misogyny before we can defeat them.
Recommended reading.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
On 9 October 2012, Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered what is now known as the ‘misogyny speech’ in the Australian Parliament House. I heard about it on the television news that evening. And now, ten years later, I wonder how much progress has been made.
‘The many forms of sexism mean that it is sometimes hard to label sexist behaviour as such …’
The book includes the misogyny speech in full, together with the scrawled notes Ms Gillard used as prompts. Rereading the speech reminds me of the fire with which it was delivered and the hope so many of us had that improvement would be immediate and obvious. Alas ‘…the World Economic Forum estimates it will take 136 years for us to reach gender equality globally.’
There are three parts to this book: Part One includes reflections on the speech; Part Two covers misogyny past and present; and Part Three is about fighting misogyny.
I was particularly drawn to the various personal reflections on the speech, and thoroughly enjoyed Kathy Lette’s article. Yes, humour is important. Chapter Six: ‘Sexism today: Tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox’ is worth reading. As the authors write, we need to be able to identify and understand the various forms of sexism and misogyny before we can defeat them.
Recommended reading.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 2, 2024
I feel horrified and disgusted that a woman during my lifetime (I was a kid when Gillard was in power) was treated so poorly in our Australian government just because she was a female. We all know and love the misogyny speech. Gillard finally puts the hypocritical Abbott in his place. She does this in a brave, clear and strong way. And as you read through the book you can totally see how she gets to this point of complete frustration. Some of the accounts in this book are so alarming. For example, a man in parliament masturbated on a females desk and then claims he was addicted to revenge porn as an excuse. Yes that is right, you heard that correctly that such a disgusting event occurred in our Parliament.
Just pure disgust that our Australian parliament holds such backward, misogynistic, and sexist view points. Gillard paved the way to help women run in Parliament. We have such a long way to go, the Higgins case showing this, but reflecting on the Misogyny Speech by Julia Gillard helps keep the Australian publics spirit alive and hope that the world is slowly becoming a better place where we don’t stand for double standards, sexism and misogyny.
Just pure disgust that our Australian parliament holds such backward, misogynistic, and sexist view points. Gillard paved the way to help women run in Parliament. We have such a long way to go, the Higgins case showing this, but reflecting on the Misogyny Speech by Julia Gillard helps keep the Australian publics spirit alive and hope that the world is slowly becoming a better place where we don’t stand for double standards, sexism and misogyny.
July 22, 2023
Not Now Not Ever is a provocative and potent collection of essays and reflections that should be read much earlier in life than when I have absorbed these pages at the age of 53. Julia Gillard's Misogyny speech rocked my world back in 2012, some 8 years after I emigrated to make London, UK my home, and I remember moments of feeling ashamed to be Australian.
Listening to it again 10 years on not only reignited that call to arms that had first resonated so deeply but to me, also demonstrated that it was no fly by night speech limited to being in the heat of the moment (albeit as the culmination of many other moments).
Rather it is evidence of Gillard's deeply held beliefs and a pivotal foundation of the work she has gone on to do in establishing the Global Institute for Women's Leadership with Kings College London and the Australian National University in Canberra, and her many conversations on women's leadership around the world.
Yet Not Now, Not Ever is not an anthology or treatise from Gillard. It is a gathering of thoughtful essays and contributions from a whole collective of women reflecting on what does the 'not now' look like today and what it will take to get us closer to 'not ever'.
It's punchy, progressive and piercing...a must read. 5 stars
Listening to it again 10 years on not only reignited that call to arms that had first resonated so deeply but to me, also demonstrated that it was no fly by night speech limited to being in the heat of the moment (albeit as the culmination of many other moments).
Rather it is evidence of Gillard's deeply held beliefs and a pivotal foundation of the work she has gone on to do in establishing the Global Institute for Women's Leadership with Kings College London and the Australian National University in Canberra, and her many conversations on women's leadership around the world.
Yet Not Now, Not Ever is not an anthology or treatise from Gillard. It is a gathering of thoughtful essays and contributions from a whole collective of women reflecting on what does the 'not now' look like today and what it will take to get us closer to 'not ever'.
It's punchy, progressive and piercing...a must read. 5 stars
October 8, 2022
Live your feminism visibly and vibrantly
Sexism has never rendered women powerless. It has either suppressed their strength or exploited it.
- bell hooks
Sexism has never rendered women powerless. It has either suppressed their strength or exploited it.
- bell hooks
February 15, 2023
Take that Tony.
December 9, 2022
this book starts off strong; the opening chapters featuring gillard's and murphy's reflections on her historic speech were interesting for the insight they provided into the entrenched and horrific sexism in australian parliamentary politics. but i rather wish the entire book had focused on that subject - or sexism in politics in general (palmieri's chapter on the perception of female political candidates/female ambition was another strong piece). most of the other chapters are too broad or too generic.
mary beard's history of misogyny is misleadingly titled and focuses largely on misogynistic depictions in art, ending with the insipid conclusion of "misogyny hurts men too" which i am beyond tired of seeing in feminist texts. aleida borges' piece on intersectionality features an amalgamation of the most tedious social media critiques of "elite white feminism" - like the bizarre discourse around missing white women and the accompanying inane claims that having your gruesome murder publicized as opposed to ignored is some sort of privilege (and this is white feminism's fault, somehow, because everyone knows white feminists run media outlets?). every single way in which the world repeatedly fails women of color and women outside the west is laid at the feet of white feminism, including, confusingly enough, the intimate partner violence and femicide of women in asia and africa. for all that this chapter decries "treating women as a homogeneous group", it does precisely that and flattens the complex history of women and feminism across the globe, watering it down to an axiomatic presumption of opposition between feminism and women of color.
ryan and zehtner's chapter on the tools of the patriarchy is a solid 101 chapter, so its placement in the middle of the book is a tad awkward. jess hill's analysis is initially astute but her attempts to degender the dynamic of coercive control in an article literally titled misogyny and violence are baffling and it is another chapter where the focus shifts from women to men and boys. she comes close to making a point about power and entitlement but the chapter ends with the incongruous claims that men are not allowed to express emotions but also that men kill women and children because they feel shame and fear. the book closes with gillard interviewing a group of young female leaders - particularly enjoyed hearing from aboriginal leader sally scales.
honestly though while many of these chapters make sure to acknowledge "white women's privilege" it's almost always awkward and often in baffling ways, sometimes in context of women who have been murdered or assaulted. these acknowledgements rarely amount to anything more than generic disclaimers. in most chapters, there's little to no real engagement; almost like they're tossed in to ward off any critique. to quote sally scales "no one has any critical thought [...] they sit in that place of complacency". the tokenistic mention of these issues without any real interrogation or depth gets frustrating. it's also a little ironic in a book about women refusing to apologize for speaking out openly about sexism that the writers are constantly bogged down with the need to disclaim "oh but class matters too, race matters too" like the audience is owed some kind of apology for women daring to exclusively focus on sexism.
mary beard's history of misogyny is misleadingly titled and focuses largely on misogynistic depictions in art, ending with the insipid conclusion of "misogyny hurts men too" which i am beyond tired of seeing in feminist texts. aleida borges' piece on intersectionality features an amalgamation of the most tedious social media critiques of "elite white feminism" - like the bizarre discourse around missing white women and the accompanying inane claims that having your gruesome murder publicized as opposed to ignored is some sort of privilege (and this is white feminism's fault, somehow, because everyone knows white feminists run media outlets?). every single way in which the world repeatedly fails women of color and women outside the west is laid at the feet of white feminism, including, confusingly enough, the intimate partner violence and femicide of women in asia and africa. for all that this chapter decries "treating women as a homogeneous group", it does precisely that and flattens the complex history of women and feminism across the globe, watering it down to an axiomatic presumption of opposition between feminism and women of color.
ryan and zehtner's chapter on the tools of the patriarchy is a solid 101 chapter, so its placement in the middle of the book is a tad awkward. jess hill's analysis is initially astute but her attempts to degender the dynamic of coercive control in an article literally titled misogyny and violence are baffling and it is another chapter where the focus shifts from women to men and boys. she comes close to making a point about power and entitlement but the chapter ends with the incongruous claims that men are not allowed to express emotions but also that men kill women and children because they feel shame and fear. the book closes with gillard interviewing a group of young female leaders - particularly enjoyed hearing from aboriginal leader sally scales.
honestly though while many of these chapters make sure to acknowledge "white women's privilege" it's almost always awkward and often in baffling ways, sometimes in context of women who have been murdered or assaulted. these acknowledgements rarely amount to anything more than generic disclaimers. in most chapters, there's little to no real engagement; almost like they're tossed in to ward off any critique. to quote sally scales "no one has any critical thought [...] they sit in that place of complacency". the tokenistic mention of these issues without any real interrogation or depth gets frustrating. it's also a little ironic in a book about women refusing to apologize for speaking out openly about sexism that the writers are constantly bogged down with the need to disclaim "oh but class matters too, race matters too" like the audience is owed some kind of apology for women daring to exclusively focus on sexism.
March 12, 2023
Five stars is nowhere near enough for this epic!!!!!!!
Ten years on from Julia Gillard's famous speech on misogyny speech. I read the book and also listened to the audiobook. The first chapter features the speech, the audio replaying the actual speech from Question Time in the Australian parliament. (The speech can be watched and listened to on YouTube.)
The rest of the book consists of a series of essays by women on the subject of misogyny, and how far we've come but the incredibly long way we still have to go.
To quote Julia:
"Despite the efforts made by so many to accelerate this progress, at the current rate of change, the World Economic Forum estimates it will take 136 years for us to reach gender equality globally."
Enough of me on my soapbox. This book is a must read!!!!!
Ten years on from Julia Gillard's famous speech on misogyny speech. I read the book and also listened to the audiobook. The first chapter features the speech, the audio replaying the actual speech from Question Time in the Australian parliament. (The speech can be watched and listened to on YouTube.)
The rest of the book consists of a series of essays by women on the subject of misogyny, and how far we've come but the incredibly long way we still have to go.
To quote Julia:
"Despite the efforts made by so many to accelerate this progress, at the current rate of change, the World Economic Forum estimates it will take 136 years for us to reach gender equality globally."
Enough of me on my soapbox. This book is a must read!!!!!
April 24, 2023
This is such an incredibly powerful book. I’m glad it manages to balance the depressing reality of gender politics and relations with the hope that it can be fixed with enough effort. This is an issue that concerns everyone, not just women, and as such it’ll be properly overcome when everyone works in the best interest of genuine change, not just the ones whose lives depend on it
November 6, 2022
An inspiring and reinvigorating read
December 22, 2024
Some really hot takes from Miss Julia Gillard. Ahead of her time that lady and I was too young to see it
November 2, 2022
Julia is outstanding at giving voice to others. And despite this being a book celebrating her famous misogyny speech she hands the bulk of it over to other voices to give it context and depth.
The best bits:
Julia’s reflection on the day she gave the misogyny speech complete with the scant notes she made to speak from. What a speaker!
If background to the speech is all you read you will have still done a good thing.
Mary Beard’s excellent reflection on misogyny from the ancient world and its lasting impact today.
The chapter on sexism today which lays out the tools of the patriarchy and how they are used to keep
It nailed down.
Jess Hill’s explanation of the role of Humiliated Fury in gendered violence.
Aleida Mendes Borges’ chapter on Intersectionality.
Actually, it’s all good.
Get a copy. It’s a quick, clear and powerful primer on a wide range of ways that misogyny hurts men and women.
Guys, this one is for you too. Of course.
The best bits:
Julia’s reflection on the day she gave the misogyny speech complete with the scant notes she made to speak from. What a speaker!
If background to the speech is all you read you will have still done a good thing.
Mary Beard’s excellent reflection on misogyny from the ancient world and its lasting impact today.
The chapter on sexism today which lays out the tools of the patriarchy and how they are used to keep
It nailed down.
Jess Hill’s explanation of the role of Humiliated Fury in gendered violence.
Aleida Mendes Borges’ chapter on Intersectionality.
Actually, it’s all good.
Get a copy. It’s a quick, clear and powerful primer on a wide range of ways that misogyny hurts men and women.
Guys, this one is for you too. Of course.
June 10, 2024
Great speech. Good piece on misogyny but misses out in the experience of women with disability and their experience of discrimination. Huge issue. Not dismissing the experiences of other groups of course. For many years the disabled were institutionalised and ignored. Many women with disabilities face problems getting employed and lowered expectations to name but a few issues.
Where was Women’s Liberation on disability I wonder? A 2nd edition somewhere maybe??
Where was Women’s Liberation on disability I wonder? A 2nd edition somewhere maybe??
February 6, 2024
What can I say… Julia Gillard absolutely slayed with this one. Not a particularly quick read but so informative and powerful. Particularly liked the in-conversation with Chanel Contos, Caitlin Figueiredo and Sally Scales.
January 3, 2023
A great way to start 2023! I listened to the audiobook version, but tomorrow will head to the shops to pick up a hard copy. Can’t wait to reread and highlight the crap out of it
July 17, 2025
‘Misogyny is both as old as time and as modern as a tweet...Misogyny allies itself with racism and other forms of discrimination, so that women who are already facing prejudice and exclusion endure more of it. Misogyny is the fist that strikes a woman's body and the belief that women's bodies are not their own. That women's consent doesn't matter. That women should not have the right to make their own reproductive choices. For women, living with misogyny is like walking through the world being forced to carry an unwanted burden. We are so used to this baggage, most of the time we don't even recognise how heavy it is.’
Lowkey considering getting a ‘not now, not ever’ tattoo after reading this book, for real!! What an excellent collection of essays addressing misogyny and sexism in its prime forms. Would recommend anyone and everyone reading it!
Lowkey considering getting a ‘not now, not ever’ tattoo after reading this book, for real!! What an excellent collection of essays addressing misogyny and sexism in its prime forms. Would recommend anyone and everyone reading it!
March 13, 2023
I listened to half and then read the other half of this book. Definitely an important read. I found myself getting a little bored during the history sections, but the history of almost anything is a little boring (at least to me). However, I really enjoyed the second half of this book, and felt very empowered by the end.
July 24, 2024
This was very heavy hitting but a great listen. So much has been done since 2012, but still so much to be done in 2024. Let's go girls, let's slay our enemies (misogyny and sexism and everything else).
December 4, 2024
Mary Beard, Jess Hill, and Jennifer Palmieri’s contributions were highlights of this essay collection, which at times soared to great heights.
However, I have to express discomfort with the - I’ll say it - girlboss yassification of a female politician who is, ultimately, and no matter how impactful any number of individuals personally found one of her speeches, still a deeply flawed individual.
I mean, the top review for Not Now, Not Ever reads “another slay by miss gillard”, and who can blame them for getting that impression? This retrospective makes no mention of Gillard’s stance against marriage equality, or the fact that her government reopened Manus and Nauru. Unsurprising, considering it was edited by Julia Gillard herself, but still - that silence is deafening, especially alongside chapters that go to great lengths to identify and denounce white feminism.
And when it isn’t silent, it’s tone deaf; I cringed reading chapters which refer to the misogyny speech as “feminist rocket fuel” and “a seismic shift”, speaking of its deliverer with reverence and of misogyny speech merchandise, glittery earrings and the like, as some kind of revolution. If this is it, then it’s no wonder liberal feminism has never worked for me.
I like the misogyny speech. It was, and remains, significant. Listening to it, I understand the sentiment these contributors have expressed. I feel roused. But this retrospective is not objective, and is therefore of limited use. Not useless, by any means, but to be taken with a grain of salt.
Thanks to Penguin and Libro.fm for the ALC.
However, I have to express discomfort with the - I’ll say it - girlboss yassification of a female politician who is, ultimately, and no matter how impactful any number of individuals personally found one of her speeches, still a deeply flawed individual.
I mean, the top review for Not Now, Not Ever reads “another slay by miss gillard”, and who can blame them for getting that impression? This retrospective makes no mention of Gillard’s stance against marriage equality, or the fact that her government reopened Manus and Nauru. Unsurprising, considering it was edited by Julia Gillard herself, but still - that silence is deafening, especially alongside chapters that go to great lengths to identify and denounce white feminism.
And when it isn’t silent, it’s tone deaf; I cringed reading chapters which refer to the misogyny speech as “feminist rocket fuel” and “a seismic shift”, speaking of its deliverer with reverence and of misogyny speech merchandise, glittery earrings and the like, as some kind of revolution. If this is it, then it’s no wonder liberal feminism has never worked for me.
I like the misogyny speech. It was, and remains, significant. Listening to it, I understand the sentiment these contributors have expressed. I feel roused. But this retrospective is not objective, and is therefore of limited use. Not useless, by any means, but to be taken with a grain of salt.
Thanks to Penguin and Libro.fm for the ALC.
June 13, 2023
Fuck yes. I didn’t think I could love Julia anymore than I already did. These essays had my blood boiling like something crazy. I loved the straight up name drops and call outs to some of the disgusting behaviour in parliament. Bravo to all those who contributed to this moving collection 👏🏼 the whole time I was listening I was nodding my head. Insightful, educational and powerful writing. All hail queen Julia 🙌🏼👑
February 27, 2023
Really fascinating! However found some chapters went on random tangents and it got a little bit repetitive but overall quite interesting
January 21, 2025
A recap of one of the most impactful moments in auspol history followed by profound and powerful essays written by brilliant women. Need I say more??
January 16, 2023
I can’t get enough of our gal Julia Gillard. A great collection of essays reflecting from a range of angles on Gillard’s famed misogyny speech 10 years later. So many of these essays remarked in some way about how far we still have to go. Although this could have been bleak, the optimism of the writers, and of Gillard herself who continues to work tirelessly to promote the treatment of, attitudes towards, and opportunities for women is energising.
July 27, 2024
Absolute slay
June 19, 2023
Slay Julia 💅🏼 a short but informative and important read. I really enjoyed how each essay explored sexism/misogyny through a different lens.
October 12, 2022
Ten years after Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s breath-taking reply to Tony Abbott in Parliament, her words still cry out against misogyny and sexism, inspiring women to take charge and craft a “roadmap for the future” towards equality. This collection, presenting reactions to her speech and essays focused on misogyny and the culture it has created, offers readers a brilliant exploration of the interconnections between misogyny, sexism, racism and colonialism, and of the impact they have had on women, on their place in society, on their relationships with men, on their professional lives, and on their self-image. It is a meticulous overview and clarification of the past, the slowly changing present, and hopes for the future.
Gillard’s speech begins the text, reminding readers of its powerful condemnation of the pernicious hatred and denigration of her, personally, and of women, in general. From there, the essays are organised in sections: The Speech, Misogyny past and present, and Fighting misogyny. Within each section, the essayists extend readers’ understanding of the conditions that have allowed misogyny and sexism to exist and, most frighteningly, to continue today. For me, the most impressive essay was “Sexism today: Tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox”. I learned so much from the erudite definitions and exploration of the various forms of sexism, presented with detailed examples of how these forms work to control women: traditional (often subtle) sexism, hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, “gender essentialism”, “modern sexism”, and a “belief in sexism shift.”
An inclusion of a short biographical note regarding each of the essayists would have helped me to put their work in a larger context of feminist activity and writing. With the help of Google, I discovered that many of the writers were associated with Gillard in her work with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership in London and Canberra. Their work and that of the new generation of feminists is to be admired.
Gillard’s speech begins the text, reminding readers of its powerful condemnation of the pernicious hatred and denigration of her, personally, and of women, in general. From there, the essays are organised in sections: The Speech, Misogyny past and present, and Fighting misogyny. Within each section, the essayists extend readers’ understanding of the conditions that have allowed misogyny and sexism to exist and, most frighteningly, to continue today. For me, the most impressive essay was “Sexism today: Tools in the patriarchy’s toolbox”. I learned so much from the erudite definitions and exploration of the various forms of sexism, presented with detailed examples of how these forms work to control women: traditional (often subtle) sexism, hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, “gender essentialism”, “modern sexism”, and a “belief in sexism shift.”
An inclusion of a short biographical note regarding each of the essayists would have helped me to put their work in a larger context of feminist activity and writing. With the help of Google, I discovered that many of the writers were associated with Gillard in her work with the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership in London and Canberra. Their work and that of the new generation of feminists is to be admired.
November 21, 2022
Powerful and necessary read. I work in the international development space where racism and sexism are still prevalent. The chapters on the workplace and intersectionality stood out the most for me for my line of work, however the whole book is an engrossing read. I'll need to reread to be able to take it all on. These essays/chapters highlight the magnitude of Julia Gillard's speech and the impact it had and still has in today's world.
Personal and factual data are interspersed throughout the chapters. Anecdotal accounts and quotes are also included as interludes which I really appreciated as it brings the sense of solidarity and empowerment.
Personal and factual data are interspersed throughout the chapters. Anecdotal accounts and quotes are also included as interludes which I really appreciated as it brings the sense of solidarity and empowerment.
April 20, 2023
I listened to the audiobook, and I was hooked from the start. The opening chapter is the original audio of the misogyny speech in full, and it gave me chills as it does every time I hear it. This collection of essays covered various topics within the theme, and all were interesting and well-written. Kathy Lette’s humour was laugh out loud; the history of misogyny from the ancient world was fascinating; and, the commentary on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign was insightful. Excellent narration by Virginie Laverdure and Julia Gillard.
September 10, 2023
Just wow.
What a powerful, inspiring and informative read. I feel empowered and have taken so much from all of these inspirational women. It has highlighted topics that relate to feminism and misogyny that I have never thought in depth and am glad for it being bought to my attention.
Live your feminism visibly and vibrantly will be my motto from now on!
What a powerful, inspiring and informative read. I feel empowered and have taken so much from all of these inspirational women. It has highlighted topics that relate to feminism and misogyny that I have never thought in depth and am glad for it being bought to my attention.
Live your feminism visibly and vibrantly will be my motto from now on!
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