[upcoming events]

August 21, 2002
Philippines congresswoman and activist geared up to address international women's conference

(Vancouver, Canada) -- Delegates to Towards Our Liberation, a pivotal international women’s conference on war and aggression, will have the unique opportunity to attend a keynote address given by Liza Largoza Maza, Secretary-General of GABRIELA-Philippines and elected congresswoman from the BAYAN MUNA party. Based on the experience of her 20,000 member strong national women’s organization and GABRIELA’s ongoing international work, Maza’s speech will tackle the worldwide struggle of women against war and imperialism.

Maza has been active in the movement for national freedom and democracy for the Philippines since her student days at the University of the Philippines. Since 1987, Maza has committed herself to GABRIELA and to advancing the struggle for the genuine equality, development, and freedom for women both in the Philippines and abroad. Her dedication and insight have inspired women the world over.

“The women's movement worldwide is, indeed, replete with valiant stories of women who have chosen to fight, choosing to lead a life outside the mold set by this society,” stated Maza at an international conference in Malaysia. “It is only through our organized strength as women and as exploited and oppressed peoples, can we act effectively to fight imperialist globalization and pursue the path to total liberation and genuine social transformation.”

In 2001, Liza Maza was one of three members of the BAYAN MUNA party to win election to the congress of the Philippines. BAYAN MUNA garnered the highest vote for the party-list election in the Philippines. Since being elected, Maza has confronted the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) about its capitulation to US interests evidenced by the GRP’s approval of the entry of over 4,000 American troops to the Philippines this past year. She has directly confronted the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their violent rapes, tortures, disappearances, and murders of GABRIELA organizers across the nation.

GABRIELA-Philippines and Grassroots Women – the conveners of the November conference in being held in Vancouver, Canada – urge women to register for the conference and join with women around the world in building an international, anti-imperialist women’s movement.

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Media contact: Rachel Rosen, Grassroots Women, 604.215.1905

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