Over the years, one of RAWA’s consistent efforts has been to participate in international awareness programs and tours. These opportunities are crucial for exposing the crimes and betrayals committed by the U.S., Western governments, and their Afghan fundamentalist allies. Through such initiatives, RAWA amplifies the voices of the suffering Afghan people on a global scale.
From June 9 to 26, 2024, a RAWA representative was invited to Japan by "Friends of RAWA - Japan." The tour provided an excellent opportunity for Japanese citizens, media outlets, progressive organizations, and individuals to gain first-hand insights into the dire situation in Afghanistan. It also shed light on how the U.S. and Western policies of appeasement and imperialist maneuvers are enabling fundamentalism in the region.
Shamim, a member of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), represented millions of girls whose lives have been devastated by the brutal Taliban regime. Yet, despite the hardships, they remain steadfast in their belief that resistance and struggle are the only paths forward. During the tour, Shamim visited various cities, including Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Nagoya, Nagano, Muroran, Sapporo, Hokkaido, and Tokyo.
In each city, she delivered speeches on topics such as RAWA’s history, political and social activities, objectives, and programs. She also highlighted the catastrophic situation in Afghanistan, the responsibilities of revolutionary forces under the reactionary Taliban regime, and more. Following her presentations, she engaged with audiences, answering a range of questions.
In addition to the scheduled programs, Shamim held formal and informal meetings with cultural, political, and media institutions, as well as with civil activists, women’s rights defenders, and feminists. A notable event in Tokyo was a meeting held at the parliament, where members of parliament, policymakers, and political activists discussed the shared experiences of two nations targeted by U.S. imperialism.
Despite the general complicity of international media in promoting U.S. policies, it is noteworthy that several Japanese media outlets showed significant interest. They arranged exclusive interviews to provide a clearer picture of the political, social, economic, and cultural conditions in Afghanistan.
During the meetings and interviews, participants were particularly interested in RAWA’s policies and activities. They were curious about how RAWA has managed to survive and operate covertly despite severe oppression and fascism. According to supporters and volunteers, the turnout for these events was exceptionally high. Each session began with a clip showcasing the history and activities of RAWA, capturing the audience’s full attention.
On June 17, 2024, Shamim’s speech in Hiroshima was covered by the Chugoku Newspaper and coincided with the "Day of Solidarity with RAWA." Attendees from different cities showed their support by purchasing dried fruits and jams prepared by "Friends of RAWA - Japan."
On June 23, Woo-ki Park Kim, a Korean feminist and member of the "Korean Women’s Social Movement in Japan," spoke about the challenges faced by Korean women and expressed solidarity with the struggles of Afghan women and their allies.
Shamim also met with activists dedicated to ending the genocide in Gaza, including Naoki Katou, who performed a song about freedom and resistance.
Another significant event took place on June 24, 2024, at the Hall of the House of Representatives in Tokyo. The primary focus was to draw attention to the plight of Afghan women. The session was attended by two female parliament members, several secretaries, ten other members, and over forty citizens. They listened intently and expressed shock at the harsh realities under the Taliban’s fascist regime.
On the same day in Tokyo, Mizuho Fukushima, President of the Social Democratic Party of Japan and a member of the House of Councillors, expressed her support for RAWA’s activities. She praised RAWA’s courage and determination in light of the dangerous conditions in Afghanistan.
"Friends of RAWA - Japan," a group of progressive and freedom-loving supporters, has consistently offered political and financial support to Afghan women over the past two decades. These volunteers have translated and published key books, including the biography of Meena, RAWA’s martyred leader and founder. They have organized gatherings, conferences, and protests against the U.S. occupation, raised funds through sales of homemade food and crafts, and supported RAWA-run schools in Afghanistan.
Nobuko Motomura, a representative of the Communist Party of Japan, praised RAWA’s bravery after hearing Shamim’s speech. The Communist Party’s newspaper, Red Flag, also extensively covered the event.
On June 11, 2024, in Osaka, Shamim participated in a Q&A session with three major Japanese media outlets.
On June 25, a photography exhibition showcasing images of Afghanistan was held by Japanese photographer Uchibori Takeshi. Students from various schools attended, engaging with information about Afghanistan, particularly on the subject of education.
On June 23, 2024, despite bad weather, 90 people attended an event in Tokyo. The audience listened attentively and asked many questions, reflecting their deep interest.
In Nagano, Shamim met with feminist activists and media professionals to discuss the severe violations of Afghan women’s rights by the Taliban, and the disgraceful global silence in response.
At every event, "Friends of RAWA - Japan" set up tables displaying informational materials, homemade foods, Afghan crafts, and dried fruits for sale, with proceeds supporting RAWA.
On June 21, 2024, Shamim delivered a speech at Muroran Institute of Technology.
On June 22, Shamim met with members of the "Women Against Militarism" group. These women, who campaign against militarized governments, emphasized that the Taliban’s reign of terror is a regional threat.
Throughout the tour, Shamim delivered speeches at schools, universities, and public gatherings. In every session, slideshows and video clips showcasing RAWA’s recent activities were presented, sparking questions and keen interest from the audience.
The tour included a speech in Hiroshima, a visit to Nagoya Gakuin University on June 16.
A meeting at the Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace. The museum, which documents stories of women victims, featured RAWA’s work in its publications and hosted discussions about the impact of women’s education under RAWA’s programs.
In every session, whether at schools, universities, or gatherings of interested parties and the press, slideshows and clips reflecting RAWA’s recent activities were displayed, capturing the audience’s attention and sparking further questions.