Only 24 percent of parliamentarians around the world are female. Women have, on average, only three-quarters of the legal working rights as men. In the United States, women account for only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs, but make up over 60 percent of minimum wage workers.

As the first—and only—female Prime Minister of Australia (2010–2013) and a long-time advocate for women’s rights in the workplace, Julia Gillard is unhappy with those statistics.

Women’s equality, or lack thereof, is a cause she’s been acutely aware of since she was a law student at the University of Melbourne. Since then, her passion has evolved to become a critical component she’s carried into both her legal and political careers.

Though she’s left office, Gillard continues her public service through advocacy work by inspiring the next generation to seek out and forge equality.

From backstage at WE Day Washington, Gillard shares her unwavering faith in the youth of today, on top of some advice for those looking to change the world.