Kimataifa
Why US second gentleman quit his job to support his wife
Dar es Salaam. US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff said he has been forced to quit a 30-year job in order to support his wife shortly after assuming the new role of US Vice President.
Mr Emhoff was speaking to The Citizen on Thursday, shortly after launching the USAID-funded project dubbed Heshimu Bahari, which literally means Respect the Ocean.
He was speaking on the second day of US Vice President Kamala Harris tour of Tanzania, shortly after arriving from Ghana.
The second-ranked official in the US administration left Tanzania for Zambia in his long tour of the African continent.
Speaking during the event, Mr Emhoff loved every minute he served as a lawyer, admitting that there were times he missed the job.
“However, in order to have the opportunity to support someone I love, somebody who has grabbed the opportunity to make history by becoming the first female vice president in the US, then I will continue missing it,” he said.
Furthermore, the US Second Gentleman said he stepped out of his career gladly and without anger, adding that when his wife grabbed the powerful role, he knew that there would be challenges that would require the presence of someone to provide support.
According to him, he got out of his childhood and career to follow his dream in order to show the world that it is possible for women to hold top country roles.
He said his wife has been in the leadership position for two years now, noting that the vice presidency has had positive impacts all over the world. Furthermore, Mr Emhoff said he will continue to discharge his duties to address the impacts of climate change, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and advocating for equality in society.
“When we uplift the women, we uplift the livelihoods of the community and the country’s economy,” he said.
According to him, the US has invested $8.4 million in marine and coastal biodiversity, addressing GBV and the impacts of climate change, bringing equality, and improving the livelihoods of communities.
“Today I am here; what a great day to be in this beautiful country! I have talked to the women in the fishing sector, who still face challenges. I am inspired to see how they learn to overcome barriers,” he said.
“The money is going to be crucial in the sector, it will make it easy to close the inequality gap. It will lift the women, which is equivalent to lifting the whole community, families, and the economy in general, which is good for everyone,” he added.