cry for women to grab the reins of power in the parish.

Top businesswoman Dr. Yvette Swan told them: "It is time for women to take the lead in society.'' And she added: "Women are the key to the future of this community. We are here and we will not be ignored.'' Dr. Swan, who heads an international business association, urged women to unite in spearheading the community's drive against crime, drugs, and other social problems.

Her outburst came at a meeting of the Warwick Community Action Group (WARCAG) at St. Mary's Church Hall.

The meeting, part of a series, was organised to motivate community awareness of social issues, and form a united front.

Other solutions put forward to tackle the parish's problems included: Forming neighbourhood watch schemes; More parental involvement in PTAs and children's schooling; Changing family attitudes to combat drugs.

As well as Dr. Swan, the speakers included Chief Inspector Dennis Ramsay; Mr.

Bryant Richards, director of Addiction Services; and Mrs. Marion Askia, president of the Bermuda National Parent Teachers Association.

A host of politicians were also present, including Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, himself a WARCAG member; Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons; and the new Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon.

Irving Pearman.

Dr. Swan, president of the International Business and Professional Women Association, said men had patently failed to solve social problems.

In Third World countries it was women who looked after the family -- they collected firewood, and planted and reaped crops, said Dr. Swan.

Men, in contrast, tended to sit "under trees'' attempting to solve problems of the village and the world. But their failure was obvious.

Dr. Swan said women were still regarded as "second class'' citizens in Bermuda.

Pointing to their many achievements, she urged them to shake off the image.

"I urge all women here tonight, do not sit back and let the men change things around you.'' Earlier, Chief Inspector Ramsay said Police depended on community back-up in fighting crime.

He said Warwick, with its many estates, was an ideal parish for forming neighbourhood watch schemes.

Mr. Richards warned everyone in the community was affected by drugs.

He said the home was the most important area to begin tackling the substance abuse problem, which included alcohol.