WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. government has failed to address women's issues in Iraq and Afghanistan, a panel of human rights experts said Tuesday.
The announcement was the latest in a series of "Global Women's Issues Scorecards" recording the rhetoric of the administration versus the reality of women's issues. The June scorecard examined the Bush administration's progress on health, security and civil liberties of Iraqi and Afghani women.
June Zeitlin, executive director of the Women's Environment and Development Organization, said Bush earned an "A" for rhetoric in voicing support for women's political rights in the Middle East.
However, Zeitlin said, he earned a "D" for inaction on the issue. She cited low representation of women in both countries' governments and Saturday's killings of two female electoral workers by the Taliban.
The administration also received a "D" for women's healthcare in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Jodi Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Health and Gender Equity.
Eleanor Smeal, founder and president of the Feminist Majority, gave the Bush administration an "F" for letting extremist leaders threaten the security of Iraqi and Afghani women.
