ON THE second and final day of `the 16th Triennial Congress of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) at the Diamond Secondary School, President Donald Ramotar delivered an address calling on the organisation’s members to play an active role in safeguarding Guyana’s democracy, and promoting women’s development at all cost. The call came after the president painted the daunting realities of the current political environment and its impact on the achievements Guyana has made over the last 20 years since the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) has been in government.
Reference was made to a series of events that the ruling party labelled hallmarks of the opposition’s dictatorial ambitions, including the post elections violence in 1997 and 2001, sections of the media that are partial to “undemocratic forces”, the recent move by the Opposition in Parliament, and “political” ruling by Speaker Raphael Trotman to silence Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.

“The WPO must be an integral part of the fight to preserve democracy in our country. It has to be in every area of life to defend democracy in Guyana, and democracy itself will only survive if we work together to preserve the rights of our people,” he said.
He was counting on the organisation’s advocacy in this regard, confident that its experience during the era of struggle for independence from British occupation, and the period after and under the Forbes Burnham-led People’s National Congress (PNC) regime will serve as a guide.

“Over the years, the WPO has produced great leaders, women who came through the ranks and struggled to take our country forward. You still have the capacity to do this. I want to take this opportunity to recognise the sterling contribution that was made and is still being made by your General Secretary, Comrade Indra Chandarpal… she had come out of a traumatic experience of being dragged from her home and imprisoned in 1973 because she stood up for free and fair elections,” President Ramotar said.
The WPO members, some of whom were presented the Janet Jagan Certificate of Appreciation for their contributions over the years, and who were hailed by the President for taking on the challenges of being women politicians, were urged to also be actively involved in education for women, ensuring that the laws to protect them are implemented and fighting against gender-based violence and discrimination.
The volatility in the global environment regarding the economic crisis and its impact on many Third World countries, the astonishing number of children who lack access to education around the world, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and political conflicts in Syria were issues which President Ramotar said must be of concern to the WPO.
Each year that the WPO meets for discussions, it reflects on women like Sumintra and Kowsillia, heroic sugar workers who were killed in 1939 and 1964 respectively in their defence of workers’ rights. (GINA)