Prepare for criticism, Hillary Clinton tells future female politicians

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has highlighted sexism against women in public office during a live question and answer session on social media.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (AP) Source: AP

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has highlighted sexism against women in public office during the live interview at Twitter’s headquarters, where she faced questions posted by users of the social media platform.

She refused to comment on any potential candidacy for the presidential election and instead used the interview to warn women wanting to go into politics to expect criticism and prepare by growing “skin as thick as the hide of a rhinoceros”.

“There’s an extra added dimension to it when you’re a women,” she said.

“The criticism will often reinforce, exemplify the double standard. You may not be criticised for your ideas or your efforts, but you’ll be criticised for how you look or how you do your hair.”
Her comments follow her well-publicised claims of “outrageous sexism” against former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

In the book, Hard Choices, she wrote on the "unfair double standard" women in public life face.

"Even leaders like former Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia have faced outrageous sexism which shouldn’t be tolerated in any country," she wrote.

Ms Clinton told the online forum that more female leaders "would make a difference in the world".


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

By Stephanie Anderson



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world