THE women’s arm of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) is currently observing its 57th anniversary and a statement from the organisation issued yesterday said it has a long and proud history of working with women.

“May 27th marked yet another milestone of the Women’s Progressive Organisation when it observed its 57 anniversary. This premier women’s organisation has had a long and proud history of working with women especially those who reside in the rural communities.”

“The WPO was formed at a very historic juncture of Guyana’s history when the first political party, the PPP, was established,” the statement said.

The statement added that the Party recognised the role women had to play in the country’s development and undertook the task of setting up the WPO as the women section of the Party.  Today, the membership spans all the ten regions of Guyana and across the ethnic divide.

“The Central Committee acknowledges the tremendous role played by its founder member and President, the late Janet Jagan, who provided yeoman services to the people of Guyana, through her involvement in raising the awareness of the oppressed and downtrodden people, especially women,” the statement noted.

The organisation said it acknowledges the support by the Party and its leadership for nurturing and providing opportunities for women to grow and participate in various decision making bodies of the Party’s hierarchy.

The WPO said: “The organisation would like to thank the thousands of members who had given and are continuing to give valuable voluntary service to communities across the country over these 57 years.”

“It is also grateful to all the women groups for their support and collaboration over the years and pledges to work even closer for the advancement of women.”

“Throughout our existence, the WPO has championed a wide range of issues for the improvement of the status and conditions of Guyanese women. We take pride in the many gains over these years and look forward to continued successes in our efforts.”

“WPO salutes all women on the occasion of its 57th anniversary.”