MAY 27th marks 58 years since the women’s arm of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) was formed in an exciting period of our country’s history. The people of Guyana for the first time had won the right to participate in elections under the new system of universal adult suffrage. It was that ground breaking period when the nation was united under the banner of the PPP led by its dynamic and dedicated founder member Dr. Cheddi Jagan and other pioneers of the fight for political independence.
A WPO release on the occasion said: Those leaders recognised and understood the importance of women’s participation in the development of the country and created an organisation to give leadership to the women of Guyana at a time when it was badly needed”.
“While the PPP was in the forefront of the political struggle, it was the women who were behind the scenes providing all the support necessary to make the work of the Party successful”.
“The Party from its inception ensured by its various declarations, policies and actions that women were an integral part of the Party”.
The release noted too that Mrs. Janet Jagan who was one of the founder members of the WPO was also the General Secretary of the Party for over 20 years during which time she not only provided the foundation but provided the building blocks as well to propel the organisation forward.
The release further stated: “As we reflect on these 58 years, we do so recognising all the women who have made various contributions at different periods of the organisation’s history; hundreds of women throughout the length and breadth of Guyana who willingly give of their time and effort without no expectation or rewards.”
“The WPO on this occasion remembers its founder member and President Janet Jagan for her selfless and dedicated service to the women of Guyana. It was she who lit the torch for women’s activism in the mid-forties when organisations were more interested in welfare and charitable work”.
“The WPO still remains a strong and relevant organisation and is grateful for the voluntary work of all its members who continue to be the foot soldiers in the WPO and the Party.
We use this occasion to extend our sincerest appreciation to all those persons who have continued to be supportive of the Organisation.”
“We wish to encourage all our members to work even harder to ensure that our Party continues as the government and to call on all Guyanese women to give their support to the PPP-Civic in the next regional and national elections to continue the progress realised since the restoration of democracy in 1992.”