Women's advocacy groups expressed mixed reaction to a Government council's plans to change its focus from women's issues to family issues.

Health and Social Services Minister Wayne Furbert recently announced the Women's Advisory Council (WAC) changed its name to the Bermuda Family Council (BFC).

Newly appointed BFC chairperson Kehinde George assured the public that women's issues would not be neglected in the council's bid to broaden its influence to include the entire family unit.

But The Royal Gazette understands the change in focus was made without consultation of women's groups within the community. And one community activist expressed concern that women's issues might be lost in the shuffle.

But when contacted, local organisations focused on women's issues voiced cautious optimism about the shift of focus.

Coalition for the Protection of Children chairperson Sheelagh Cooper questioned whether the widened focus would effectively dilute the council.

"The name change indicates that they've broadened the mandate to include every man, woman and child in Bermuda,'' she said.

"Admirable though that may be, I question if one small advisory council can deal with that broad of a scope and still be effective.'' Ms Cooper suggested that a family council should be established in addition to -- not instead of -- a women's council.

"If they've increased the resources and suitably empowered the council, then perhaps it's not so bad,'' she said. "But it would've been preferable to involve the women's groups in the decision-making process.'' Women's Resource Centre chairperson Penny Dill said she was unaware of the Council's name and focus change until she read the article in The Royal Gazette .

"When I read the article, it was one of my concerns that it could happen -- not that it necessarily would, but could.'' "But at the same time when you're looking at women's issues you must look at the whole aspect because whatever affects women will also affect the family unit.

"It's good that they're changing the Council to encompass the entire family, but our concern at the Centre is that issues women have to deal with get put on the back burner.'' Physical Abuse Centre office manager June Augustus also adopted a "wait and see'' attitude about the shift.

Mrs. Augustus noted that there was an international shift toward focusing on family issues rather than examining women's issues in isolation. "We all have brothers and sons, so we must be concerned about the men as well,'' she added.