WPO urges women to participate in Guyana’s developmental agenda

…as NGO celebrates 69th anniversary

The Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) observed its 69th anniversary on Friday as the nation concluded its 56th Independence Anniversary celebrations. In a statement to mark the occasion, WPO extended gratitude to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for having the vision to form the organisation.

It noted that the organisation was created to support and advocate for the advancement of women’s rights and equality.
“We wish to pay special tribute to all the women who were the forerunners and, on whose shoulders, we stood on to achieve significant strides for women. We wish to recognise our late leader and founder Mrs Janet Jagan who worked tirelessly for the advancement of women in all spheres of life,” the statement added.
The WPO said it is opportune to remind the citizens of this country that as early as 1953, she was already calling for Guyanese to have the right to self-determination and adult suffrage.
“We salute the heroic leaders who took up the cudgel of struggle and who provided dynamic leadership to an oppressed people. Guyana has come a long way and the WPO has been part of the struggle to free our country from our colonial masters and from the PNC dictatorship.”
The WPO said, too, that it is indeed proud of the role women have played in the country’s development, adding that it is calling on women to take part in all aspects of the unprecedented development unfolding. According to the WPO, the struggle for women to have the right to vote and to have education are two important principles that Guyana has fought for and won.
“Thus, women need to ensure that they are part of the developmental agenda. The PPP has worked tirelessly to support and create opportunities for all Guyanese, including women. The women of Guyana are indeed fortunate to live in a country where their rights are protected and where strong efforts have been made to remove barriers to their upward mobility.”
“We take this opportunity to reiterate President Ali’s message on International Women’s Day 2022, where he stated, “We owe it to women everywhere to celebrate, not only their contribution; the contribution is a minimal approach to looking at this but celebrating their integral role in the development and integration of societies,” the WPO added.
In closing, it extended thanks to all its members who have worked beyond the call of duty to assist the political party in every facet of its work.