Women express outrage and condemnation on the Maguindanao massacre- Maza

On the occasion of November 25 United Nations International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women , Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party today expressed outrage and strongest condemnation on the massacre in Maguindanao that killed at least 21 women.

“We grieve today for our women and other innocent civilians who have suffered extreme violence and brutal killings. This only goes to show that the impunity of violence does not spare women,” Maza said.

Maza cited reports that described the brutality of the killing of the wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Datu Ismail “Toto” Mangudadatu. It was alleged that she was raped and shot at her private part.

According to Maza, this does not only send a message that terrorizes the whole society but also tells our women that they should not involve in politics, and instead go back to their old traditional roles as mothers and caretakers of their home or else they will suffer the same fate.

Maza further stressed that the women’s movement have long worked hard and struggled for women’s rights including the equal participation of women in the political life and participation in politics.

“We should not let this happen and we cannot allow this climate of impunity to reign. The burden of punishing the perpetrators of this heinous crime and giving justice to the victims lie in the Arroyo administration,” Maza said.

Maza cited the Magna Carta of Women that mandates the State as the primary duty bearer in the protection of women against violence.

The Gabriela solon also stressed that warlordism and patronage politics in the country nurture and fuel violence against women.

Maza is the principal author of House Bill 1821 Declaring November 25 every year as “National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”. This legislation has already been approved in the Lower House and is currently in the Senate for deliberations. ###