But to what extent is this backlash the product of the policies, or the person delivering them?
Many have criticised the level of scrutiny Julia Gillard has been under compared to other politicians with incidents such as menu gate, and being asked if her partner is gay, becoming a regular occurrence.
Former Democrats senator and Labor shadow minister, Cheryl Kernot, said the gender discussion around Julia Gillard could stop women from entering politics.
"No one, no one that I know has had the kind of personal, sexist, nastiness that Julia Gillard has had to endure," Ms Kernot said.
"Why would young passionate women who care about issues talk about a political career when they've seen this happen to the first woman who's become prime minister of this country?"
Former New South Wales Liberal Party and opposition leader, Kerry Chikarovski, said people need to focus on the bigger picture rather then get caught up in sexist debate.
"The key point in this debate is that we shouldn't be having its," she said. "The key point in this debate is that we should be talking about things that matter to the Australian people."
But while some might think the gender wars have cast a low light on Julia Gillard's political career, Australian correspondent for The New York Times, Matt Siegel said she will be remembered for how she approached gender issues.
"I think the misogyny speech was really one of the high points of her tenure," he said. "I think it's something they're going to teach in universities and it's going to be something closely associated with her tenure and for good reason."
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