Maza Leads Call for Women to Register for 2010 Elections

Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep.Liza Maza today urged all women  to go out and register for the upcoming 2010 elections. Saying that this initial step is a significant exercise of democratic rights, the woman legislator stressed the significant role  Filipino women play in shaping the future of this country.

Maza noted that during the 2001 National Elections, women comprised 50.53% of the total registered voters. Indeed, half of the voting population and those who actually voted are women. This crucial number speaks of the vital role women play in choosing the next leaders.

The Gabriela solon also urged the COMELEC to extend the registration period up to December 2009 in order to accommodate more Filipinos to register. Maza also asked the COMELEC to disseminate clear, simple and concise information so as to make the registration process more efficient.

According to the Gabriela Solon, their group will soon launch the nationwide campaign dubbed as “Babae ka May Sey ka! Magparehistro na!” which aims to encourage and empower all Filipino women to go out from their homes, factories, offices, establishments, schools, and workplaces to register as early as May.

“Through this campaign, we plan to reach out to millions of women including the OFWs. We encourage women to take a stand and make a difference by registering and making their voices heard. It is high time for Filipino women to rise up in a collective effort to push forward their interests by ensuring that they can be one of the decisive forces in the upcoming 2010 elections,” Maza said.

“The call to go out and register is not limited to simply registering; it is also a strong statement of women that they are ready to protect their votes from any election fraud and scheme,” Maza stressed.