Obama: Respect women who choose traditional roles

CAIRO — President Barack Obama says women don’t have to make the same choices as men to be equal. He says a woman who chooses to cover her hair for religious reasons or chooses traditional roles is no less equal.

The U.S. president discussed women’s rights in a speech today about America’s relationship with the Muslim world.

Obama says he believes women who are denied an education are denied equality. So, Obama is promising that the United States will partner with Muslim countries to support expanded literacy for girls and will help young women pursue jobs through a micro-financing program.