Welcome to "Ask the Secretary" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Secretary Clinton. In this session, Secretary Clinton answers questions taken during her trip to Africa, August 3-14, 2009. Secretary Clinton selected frequently asked questions and answered them here. Secretary Clinton: Travel to Africa, August 3-14, 2009  Interactive Travel Map Photo Gallery Secretary Clinton Remarks and Press Releases More Information About Secretary Clinton

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Biography

Secretary Clinton:

Thank you very much for your participation in this "Text the Secretary" event during my recent trip to Africa. Several themes appeared throughout all of your questions. Listed below are my responses to questions that represent the important issues you raised. More answers will be available soon.

Thank you for visiting Kenya and for your inspiring words at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya on 5th August 2009. What advice can you give the women of Africa so that they can play a more pivotal role in decision making and bring sustainable development?

Secretary Clinton:

Thank you for that great question, Mary. I think the role that women have to play in any society is so critical, and it’s particularly critical in Africa, where too many women are impoverished, they’re marginalized, they’re unable to really obtain the tools of education and healthcare for themselves and their children, and then it...........................................