THE Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) has extended warm greetings to the women of Guyana on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
In a statement, the WPO said this event, which women globally are observing for more than 100 years now, became possible as a result of the struggle of the oppressed garment workers in New York in 1846 who dared to strike against their employers for better working conditions.

Even though they were persecuted, they never faltered, and their struggles were taken up by Rosa Luxemburg and Clara Zeitkin, two socialist women who lobbied the delegates of the 2nd International to honour the struggle of these working-class women. The combined actions of two sets of women in two different parts of the world, namely the USA and Europe, made it possible for International Women’s Day to become a universally recognised event.

Seeing a present-day cause in need of being similarly championed, the WPO said: “As we observe this important event, we wish to draw attention to the plight of the sugar workers and their families who are now faced with economic decline and social dislocation. “We call on the Coalition Government to go back to the drawing board to find a workable solution in order the save the livelihood of thousands of people.” In closing, the WPO said: “We wish to use this occasion to remind the people of Guyana that the significance of IWD must be a constant reminder to us all that nothing comes easy; and that once we are prepared to stand up and defend our rights, we will be victorious.”