Gillard hails Trump protest marches

Julia Gillard says she's heartened by the millions of women who marched in protest in response to Donald Trump's inauguration as US president.

The former prime minister was a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton's campaign for the presidency and was disappointed with the Democrats' loss.

Her sentiment was shared by women who marched across the US as well as Australia, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

Ms Gillard told AAP she expected there would be two ways women would respond to Mr Trump's win.

"There will be those who hoped for Hillary and, having seen their hopes dashed, feel like they want to turn away and have some time away from politics," she said.

"But I'm heartened that there's another sentiment at work - to get in there and say setbacks will galvanise you."

Mrs Clinton forged a close bond with Ms Gillard during her prime ministership.

During the US elections, Ms Gillard made an endorsement video for Mrs Clinton in which she attacked inept Republican presidential candidates for making "cheap and easy statements" about foreign policy.