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THE 16th Triennial Congress of the women’s arm of the People’s Progress Party, the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) opened yesterday at the Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara to analyse and develop strategies for the betterment of Guyanese women under the theme: “Strengthen WPO for further advance the development of Guyanese women. 
Delivering the feature address was Acting President, Samuel Hinds, who described the WPO members as stalwarts, who held their ground from the establishment of the organisation to present day.
He added that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have been in support of the WPO aiding in political and social development of the country in which women have equality and also reflected on the work of former Presidents Mrs. Janet Jagan and Dr Cheddi Jagan, both of whom worked tirelessly in the fight for women’s rights in this country.
Hinds told the gathering yesterday that the WPO two-day congress is being held at time when there are challenges especially that in Parliament but also spoke of the progress and transformation of the PPP.
The acting Head of State lauded the efforts of the WPO members comprising of hundreds of women from across the country, who were present yesterday and encouraged them to re-double their efforts to win greater support for the PPP.
Hinds said that today the WPO stands proud of its achievements because they have and continued to champion the rights and welfare of women locally by defying the odds and played a significant role in its development.
He also spoke of the work of the WPO in which women of today are depended on greatly in many areas and challenge them to keep the faith to win others to the cause of the PPP.
Also addressing the gathering yesterday was WPO General Secretary, Indranie Chandrapal who was presented a token of appreciation by WPO members for her work.
She recognised the WPO delegates, who journeyed from the far-fetched interior locations to be present at the Congress which was well attended and stated that six months from WPO’s 60th anniversary they are pleased with their achievements in which the sisterhood stands united to present day.
Mrs. Chandrapal said that many women drawn from all regions of Guyana stayed with the WPO in many hardships and without benefits in service to the cause and to fight for better conditions and equality of women from the time of the colonial days to date.
She spoke of the threat to our democracy noting what is taking place in Parliament and condemned the recent move by the opposition but pointed out that the PPP remains committed to their principles in which they are ready to defend women.
Mrs. Chandrapal stated that the WPO is a strongly knit organisation made up of women from all walks of life, noting that even some men want to join in recognition of the contribution of women’s participation in activities today because many years ago it was not so.
She noted that women of today have newer opportunities and from the time the last congress was held four years ago they have had developments.
Mrs. Chandrapal talked about the struggles of the late Mrs. Janet Jagan, who rallied for the cause of women and assisted in the strengthening of the WPO, in which the organisation remains unshakeable.
The opening of the 16th WPO Triennial Congress yesterday was chaired by Sheila Veerasammy which saw several messages from various organisations including Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), songs being sang by Rupert Singh, WPO delegates and the Circle of Love four-man team.
The only survivor of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) the forerunner of the PPP, Senior Counsel, Mr. Ashton Chase reflected on the significant transformation of the WPO from the time it was established to present day and the role it played to improve the lives of women.
He recalled the history of the WPO at length and noted the strides the WPO made with the many women, who played a vital role and identified such women like Mrs. Janet Jagan, Kowsilla and others.
Chase however, urged the WPO to address the issue of domestic violence in which women are the main targets noting its prevalence in society.
The WPO was established in May 27, 1953 by four women including the late Mrs. Janet Jagan in recognition of the need for a broad based women’s political organisation that catered to the needs of women at the economic and political levels and to support the PPP in its struggle for independence.
Delivering the feature address was Acting President, Samuel Hinds, who described the WPO members as stalwarts, who held their ground from the establishment of the organisation to present day.He added that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have been in support of the WPO aiding in political and social development of the country in which women have equality and also reflected on the work of former Presidents Mrs. Janet Jagan and Dr Cheddi Jagan, both of whom worked tirelessly in the fight for women’s rights in this country.
Hinds told the gathering yesterday that the WPO two-day congress is being held at time when there are challenges especially that in Parliament but also spoke of the progress and transformation of the PPP.
The acting Head of State lauded the efforts of the WPO members comprising of hundreds of women from across the country, who were present yesterday and encouraged them to re-double their efforts to win greater support for the PPP.
Hinds said that today the WPO stands proud of its achievements because they have and continued to champion the rights and welfare of women locally by defying the odds and played a significant role in its development.
He also spoke of the work of the WPO in which women of today are depended on greatly in many areas and challenge them to keep the faith to win others to the cause of the PPP.
Also addressing the gathering yesterday was WPO General Secretary, Indranie Chandrapal who was presented a token of appreciation by WPO members for her work.She recognised the WPO delegates, who journeyed from the far-fetched interior locations to be present at the Congress which was well attended and stated that six months from WPO’s 60th anniversary they are pleased with their achievements in which the sisterhood stands united to present day.
Mrs. Chandrapal said that many women drawn from all regions of Guyana stayed with the WPO in many hardships and without benefits in service to the cause and to fight for better conditions and equality of women from the time of the colonial days to date.
She spoke of the threat to our democracy noting what is taking place in Parliament and condemned the recent move by the opposition but pointed out that the PPP remains committed to their principles in which they are ready to defend women.
Mrs. Chandrapal stated that the WPO is a strongly knit organisation made up of women from all walks of life, noting that even some men want to join in recognition of the contribution of women’s participation in activities today because many years ago it was not so.
She noted that women of today have newer opportunities and from the time the last congress was held four years ago they have had developments.
Mrs. Chandrapal talked about the struggles of the late Mrs. Janet Jagan, who rallied for the cause of women and assisted in the strengthening of the WPO, in which the organisation remains unshakeable.
The opening of the 16th WPO Triennial Congress yesterday was chaired by Sheila Veerasammy which saw several messages from various organisations including Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), songs being sang by Rupert Singh, WPO delegates and the Circle of Love four-man team.The only survivor of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) the forerunner of the PPP, Senior Counsel, Mr. Ashton Chase reflected on the significant transformation of the WPO from the time it was established to present day and the role it played to improve the lives of women.
He recalled the history of the WPO at length and noted the strides the WPO made with the many women, who played a vital role and identified such women like Mrs. Janet Jagan, Kowsilla and others.
Chase however, urged the WPO to address the issue of domestic violence in which women are the main targets noting its prevalence in society.
The WPO was established in May 27, 1953 by four women including the late Mrs. Janet Jagan in recognition of the need for a broad based women’s political organisation that catered to the needs of women at the economic and political levels and to support the PPP in its struggle for independence.
