I want to be first of many female PMs: Gillard

Former prime minister Julia Gillard has given a rousing speech at a magazine award ceremony in Sydney, calling on the next generation of women to break down the barriers to gender equality.

Speaking at the Cosmopolitan magazine’s Fun Fearless Female Woman of the Year Awards today, Ms Gillard told the crowd of women that her aim was not to be Australia’s only female prime minister.

"I want to be the first of many to come," Ms Gillard said.

"I want it to be so routine for a woman to lead this country that no one bothers talking about what she is wearing anymore." Ms Gillard urged her audience, which included the likes of The Voice judge Delta Goodrem, Today show host Lisa Wilkinson and Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne, to help make Australia a place of genuine equality.

"It will be your generation that finally ensures that we see equal pay. And that there is better support for combining work and family life."

"It will be your generation that refuses to let women be stereotyped as bossy or bitchy," Ms Gillard said, to wild applause in the audience.

Ms Gillard was inducted into the Fun, Fearless Female Hall of Fame at the annual lunch event and announced two Cosmo scholarships as part of her role as Chancellor of Ducere.