– a champion of women’s rights and of human rights
– a distinguished Guyanese leader and citizen extraordinaire

AS the governing party celebrates the birth anniversary of former Executive President and First Lady of the land, Mrs. Jagan Jagan, it is fitting that the nation reflects on the contributions of this amazing woman to this land to which she dedicated her entire adult lifetime.

One of the most fitting tributes to the Guyanese matriarch, Mrs. Janet Jagan, was by Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., and General-Secretary of the RPA – excerpts as follows:- “In l946, the Father of the Guyanese Nation, in equal partnership with indisputably the greatest frontline fighter for women’s rights in this country – the indomitable, inimitable Mrs. Janet Jagan, along with Messrs. Ashton Chase and Jocelyn Hubbard formed the Political Affairs Committee (PAC).

1946 also saw the formation of the Women’s Political and Economic Organization (WPEO) – the predecessor to the WPO, led by Mrs. Jagan, Ms Winifred Gaskin, and Frances Stafford. These were intrepid women indeed, because they challenged the old order, and the bastion of male supremacy that dominated within the dictates of societal norms. The WPO, which evolved from the WPEO, is the original and primary women’s organisation in the nation. In local parlance – ‘Any other is a mock’.”

“If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse – in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan…for pioneering the way of the freedom we today enjoy in our homeland.”

He described her as “… this champion of women’s rights and of human rights…the woman whom has truly loved and mothered this country and its people – first out of love and loyalty for her husband, then for their own sakes.

Seeraj spoke at length of “… the perils and travails she endured in pursuit of social rights and justice, which included six months of hard labour in prison, separation from her babies, curtailment of her freedoms in diverse ways, lifelong threats and attempts on her life – Michael Forde martyred his life to save hers and the lives of countless others when he grabbed a bomb and deflected it from exploding in Freedom House. When, out of the love, commitment, dedication, and the supreme loyalty she has always demonstrated to her husband Cheddi, and by extension his people, she fulfilled his last request and accepted the presidency upon his demise, she was witch-hunted out of that office by the very nation for which she fought all her adult life; yet she never advocated retaliation against any section or community, but always extended forgiveness with grace. Her love for this nation and its people was paralleled only by that of her husband.”

Mrs. Janet Rosenberg Jagan (October 20, 1920 – March 28, 2009) was an American-born socialist politician who was the first woman President of Guyana from December 19, 1997, to August 11, 1999. She previously served as the first woman Prime Minister of Guyana from March 17, 1997, to December 19, 1997. And through a long politically active life she made a momentuous contribution in the shaping of Guyana’s politics.

He continued, “If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse – in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan…for pioneering the way of the freedom we today enjoy in our homeland.”

“Beyond their public personas, the romance of Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan was an ode to love that transcended all the divides to emerge sublimely pure and indestructible – a transcendental experience that reached out to gather within its embrace the entire Guyanese nation – and even beyond these shores, as was demonstrably exemplified in Dr. Jagan’s New Global Human order,” in which he argued for a restructuring of the global economic and social dispensation so that poverty and hunger can be eradicated and the human dimension to development would supersede all other considerations.
Both Cheddi and Janet were strong advocates for the empowerment of the vulnerable – with a special focus on women, and Dr. Jagan exemplified and encapsulated all the best qualities of a son, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a leader of men and of nations, but in fulfilling every one of these duties his wife stood in equal partnership resolutely and unwaveringly by his side.
The Jagans set high standards in ethics, integrity, and morality…They tried to inculcate these values into the society that they nurtured by living their lives well and by empowering and encouraging others to do so.”

Mrs. Jagan became Guyana’s first Prime Minister and First Vice-President on 17th March 1997. She was subsequently sworn in as the first woman President of the Republic of Guyana.
UNESCO awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal to Mrs. Jagan in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the struggle for peace, democracy, and the promotion of women’s rights.
A representative of UNESCO presented the prestigious UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal, which is awarded to an elite group of select world figures of outstanding merit, to Mrs. Janet Jagan on Monday 4th August 1997.

Seeraj concluded his presentation by describing Mrs. Jagan as “… the woman who left the shores of her homeland to carve a destiny for the Guyanese people alongside her life-partner, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.”

Indeed, and carve Guyana’s destiny into a glorious mould they certainly did.

Janet Jagan can never die; because she lives on in the strong and vibrant voices of the brigade of young advocates for justice, liberty, human and women’s rights. Just listen to Priya Manickchand, Vindhya Persaud, and uncountable others who set their standards by her achievements.