Former President of Guyana, the late Janet Rosenberg Jagan, was Thursday remembered as a “constant and consistent agitator for women’s rights” and someone who fought steadfastly for the betterment of women in Guyana.
These were sentiments shared by President Dr. Irfaan Ali while delivering remarks at an event to celebrate the life and work of Janet Jagan and her contributions to the return of democracy to Guyana, at the Cheddi Jagan Research Center (Red House) in Georgetown.
“The Political Affairs Committee and the Women’s Political and Economic Organization which she founded led strident and sustained agitation for universal adult suffrage and for women’s rights and empowerment,” President Ali reminded.
Jagan was remembered for linking the struggle for universal adult suffrage to the rights of women since at that time the majority of women were disenfranchised from voting because of poverty.
“For Janet, this was not only about the right to vote but also empowering women politically,” President Ali noted.
Jagan expanded Guyanese’s understanding of women’s rights and helped to pilot and lent her support to legislation that secured betterment for women, President Ali reminisced.
“During her tender as Minister of Health, Labour and Housing she promulgated legislation to reduce the hours of work for store workers most of whom were women and extended protection to domestics,” President Ali said.
The Head of State noted that Jagan led the struggle for women’s rights at a time when women’s empowerment was taboo and that most of the issues she identified during her time are very much still relevant today.
“Since in 1981 she spoke about social rights, economic rights, political rights, a justice system that is fair to women, social infrastructure that understands the specific needs of women – in 1981 – so she was a woman far ahead of her time,” he said.
President Ali said that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will continue to follow in the footsteps of its founding members, Janet and her husband, former President Cheddi Jagan, who championed people’s rights.
Janet Jagan was one of the first women Members of the Legislature in Guyana, the first female to be made Deputy Speaker in the world in 1953, the first female Minister in Guyana, the first female Prime Minister and the first female President of Guyana.
Tributes were also delivered by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira; Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Clement Rohee; Ralph Ramkarran, S.C. and former President Donald Ramotar.
