workplace, secretaries were told this week at the annual Secretaries' Day Awards Luncheon hosted by the Business and Professional Women's Association (BPWA).

Ms Renee Webb, a candidate for the Progressive Labour Party, said women must get the necessary education not only to become more efficient but also to increase confidence. This she said would only better serve Bermuda.

"The day has come when women should not feel intimidated by their male counterparts,'' she said.

Ms Webb said that for the most part Bermuda companies are male dominated.

"These companies have considerable power over our lives. They have the power to hire, to fire, to transfer. The power to set performance standards, working hours and the power to enforce discipline.

"We as women, on the other hand, have very little real power because by and large we are not part of the decision-making process at the executive level due to our disproportionate representation in the boardrooms, at the head of corporate Bermuda or the legislature.

"There is a need to recognise that policy decisions affecting women's equality are still in the hands of men, who may not have the same incentive to pursue them as women.'' Ms Webb pointed out that women are natural planners, organisers, managers and decision-makers. She said a woman's role as mother, homemaker, and mate prepares women to take on such tasks effectively. But she said that in most cases, women are not recognised for their accomplishments.

"As women we need to ask ourselves whether or not we are assertive in obtaining the recognition for the contribution that we bring to the workplace,'' she said. "Do we demonstrate the professionalism and confidence that is required? Are we treated fairly both personally and professionally? Are we perceived as being as valuable to the organisation as our male counterparts? "Are we rewarded financially on an equal footing as men? Does our salary reflect the changing make-up of the causes of women?'' Ms Webb said women should join women's groups like the BPWA, the Jaycees, Single Parent Association, and the Women's Advisory Council, but said women's groups needed to come under one umbrella. She suggested the creation of a centre for women's studies perhaps with the support of the Bermuda College.

She said: "We could come together and learn about our history and commonality. In addition, a forum could be created from this very same organisation encompassing the diverse needs of women and establish the ground work for the rights of women to be entrenched in our society.

"Input toward developing a centre for women's studies could come from the resources that are already in place. Think about ways that you personally can contribute and support efforts in the workplace, through one of the service clubs to which you belong, or in the community at large. Support women and organisations that are bringing our concerns to the fore.'' MS. Renee Webb.