e not in evidence among the general populace in cities andvillages.International oil interests are in fierce competition to build pipelines through Afghanistanto link Caspian Sea oil and gas reserves to Central and South Asia. California-based UNOCAL, aU.S. energy company, led the CentGas consortium that planned to build an oil and gas pipelinethrough Afghanistan. The Taliban stood to gain $100 million a year from this pipeline. UNOCALannounced it was suspending the project at the end of 1998, citing in part, pressure from feministorganizations protesting the company's involvement with the Taliban. Other U.S. andinternational corporate interests are vying for business in the country. Recently, TelephoneSystems International (TSI), a New Jersey-based telecommunications firm, reached anagreement with the Taliban to install a satellite-based system throughout Afghanistan. Corporateinvestment under current conditions could mean billions of dollars to shore up the Taliban regimewithout regard for women's rights.I have compiled a few things individuals can do to help this situation. introduce RAWA and RAWA activities to individuals, groups, schools, organisations,and other congregations in your community stage protests, marches, demonstrations in support of RAWA and in solidarity withAfghan women organise gatherings, meetings, seminars, etc. to highlight the situation of Afghanwomen under the fundamentalists write to Pakistan authorities voicing your protest and support for RAWA in events ofgovernment or non-government violence against our organisation (assassination of ourfounding leader in Pakistan; and maltreatment of RAWA collaborator by Pakistanigovernment secret service agents in Islamabad, April 28, 1997; by Taliban hooligans onRAWA demonstration, April 28, 1998; of RAWA and its etc.) invite RAWA members to speak on its activities, situation of Afghan women, etc. give coverage to reports on Afghanistan and Jihadi and Taliban crimes...
