GABRIELA Party-list Representative Liza Largoza-Masa is pushing to have the women’s voice heard in the upcoming 2010 elections.

The congresswoman said their concept of the women’s vote is not only limited to women and men voting for women but that women and men in politics should be able to carry the women’s agenda.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

This as several members of the Gabriela Party-list held a “Women’s Voice, Women’s Vote and Women’s Platform for Good Governance” forum last Saturday at the ABC Hall.

Masa said they envision the women’s vote to be an alternative vote to the traditional politics. 

She noted that during their first nationwide training on women’s gender, women’s politics and governance, the participants decided to come up with the women’s platform for good governance, dubbed as “Women’s Voice, Women’s Vote and Women’s Platform for Good Governance for 2010.”

She said the platform “realizes that politics and governance in the Philippines are traditional in character and playing to the interest of the economic and political elite in society.”

She added: “The current system of politics perpetuates patronage relations, disregards the needs and interest of the people, represses human rights, tolerates corruption, is exposed to foreign influences and is male-dominated.”

She also said that the platform “recognizes the need for new and progressive politics for women anchored on public service, love of country, genuine desire for equality, justice, genuine political, economic and social changes and inspired by the basic issues of women and the people in general.”

Masa stressed that they are also planning to advocate that men candidates carry the women’s cause and include these in their platform.

She said the women’s voice has several components but they want to put more women in governance.

She said they will protect, promote and fulfill the basic human rights and welfare of women and children as enshrined in the Constitution and in national and international laws.

Masa cited that there are only four women among the 24 senators, saying there’s a problem between men and women in Congress.

She emphasized that good governance stands for genuine public service -- one that is transparent and accountable, promotes democratic participation, responsive to the needs of constituents, right-based, effective and instilled with a gender perspective and guided by visionary leadership. (MAP)