US criticized over Arab women's rights

[JoFerret]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3823450,00.html

U.S. officials have been strong in their verbal support for including women's rights in the Afghan constitution, Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority, said in a telephone conference. ``But strong statements have not been met with actual action.''

She argued that women's rights are threatened by Afghan efforts to make family law subject to Islamic codes, by insecurity and the rise of militias, and by the U.S. failure to spend on reconstruction.

The U.S. State Department had no immediate comment.

....

``I think the administration just doesn't get it,'' she said. ``They are speaking about women's rights and participation. I think they have underestimated the extremism (opposing women's rights) ... in both societies.'' >>>
Mmore.
They just don't get it and probably have no interest in getting it.

[Lindsay]

1. I'm not so sure they've underestimated

the extremism. I suspect they approve of it. They may give lip service to equality, but they sure as heck won't do much to support it.