Hontiveros: There must be more women in the halls of power

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews)—Senator Risa Hontiveros, in a forum on gender here Friday last week at the start of National Women’s Month, said that there should be more women holding key positions in the government.

In a forum themed “Marching on Together for a Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Society” held at the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus here, the lady lawmaker pointed out that the nation can better move forward if gender issues can be addressed swiftly.

Hontiveros said that issues surrounding women in health, education, livelihood, and civil rights continue to hound society and these must be addressed first.

For that to happen, more women must step up and be leaders, the legislator stressed.

“We need more women leaders. In every sector, in every part of society, kailangan ng ating bansa ang lakas at husay ng kababaihan,” she said.

Hontiveros pointed out that women make up only 2 out of 10 elected officials in the country, a disparity that is reflected in many sectors in the business community and in the wider community.

According to the legislator, female representation not only advances gender equality and social equity, but also social justice.

“I hope to see more women CEOs, entrepreneurs, scientists at kung ano-ano pa. I hope to see more women, even more, being the best that we can be,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said that her experience in public service and as an activist has taught her that gender issues are so deeply-rooted that these can only be resolved by those that have better understanding and knowledge on how to confront these hounding challenges.

“Kailangan ng ating bansa ang lakas at husay ng kababaihan,” she declared.

She said the fact remains that more women leaders allow institutions to bring in fresh views and ideas to policy-making, and they provide bigger, louder, more emphatic voices with the marginalized communities.

She said that at the Senate, women legislators have been pushing for enactments like Expanded Maternity Leave Law, Health and Nutrition of Mothers Act, Safe Spaces or the “Bawal Bastos” Law, and the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act.

At present, she said they are working closely with women’s organizations to push legislations that will make the Philippines a more gender-responsive society, such as the Maternity Benefit for Women in the Informal

Economy Bill and the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, among other measures that address old and new issues being faced by the most vulnerable sectors.

She admitted that it is still a long way to go to establish a society that respects gender equality.

“Dapat gayahin natin ang MSU–Gensan na karamihan nga mga vice chancellors ay mga kababaihan,” she said.

Hontiveros reiterated her earlier calls for the young women to step up to the challenge, be involved, be informed, speak truth to power and embrace their potential for greatness.

“Never be scared to dream and stand for what is right, strive for success in your respective disciplines and future professions and use that success to benefit not only yourselves but also your fellow women and other marginalized peoples,” she said.

“I hope to see more women in the halls of the Senate, malay natin mula dito mismo sa MSU–Gensan o mula pa sa kabuuang populasyon ng General Santos City, or in the House of Representatives or various other public offices,” she said.

She urged the audience to “never give up, always speak up, believe in what we can do for a better future of the women in our every community.” (Guia A. Rebollido / MindaNews)