Ramotar says WPO must continue fight to preserve democracy in Guyana

President Donald Ramotar on Sunday called on the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) to play an active role in safeguarding Guyana’s democracy, and promoting women’s development at all cost.
He made the appeal on the second and final day of the 16th WPO Triennial Congress at the Diamond Secondary School, where he painted a picture  of the daunting realities of the current political environment, and its impact on the achievements Guyana has made under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration.
“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 experiences during the struggle for independence from British occupation and the period under and after 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 with 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 and ensuring that the laws to protect them are implemented while 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 the conflict in Syria were issues which President Ramotar said must be of concern to the WPO.