Jim Acosta of CNN.com is reporting that U.S. President Barack Obama championed women’s rights during a visit to Nairobi, Kenya in which he referred to himself as the ‘First Kenyan-American to be president.’ Acosta reports:
“Inside a packed Nairobi gymnasium filled with nearly 5,000 cheering Kenyans, Obama offered his own personal history as evidence that all Africans have the potential to rise from even the most difficult circumstances.
‘When it comes to the people of Kenya, especially the youth, I believe there is no limit to what you can achieve,’ Obama said. ‘You can build your future right here, right now.’
Obama also urged nations across Africa to reject the oppression of women, likening the problem to Americans who cling to the Confederate flag, as a symbol of white power.
‘Just because something is a tradition doesn’t mean it’s right,’ Obama said.
‘Treating women as a second-class citizen is a bad tradition. It’s holding you back,’ he added, condemning domestic violence, sexual assault and genital mutilation.”
President Obama shared personal stories and also vowed to help fight Al-Shabab, an extremist group terrorizing Kenya and surrounding countries.
Read more at CNN.com.
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