Saturday was International Women's day but Opposition MP Kim Young says women are still getting a raw deal in Bermuda.

The Women's Affairs spokeswomen for the United Bermuda Party said in the House of Assembly on Friday that women are still paid less than men while violence and sexual assault against women continues to be high.

"There are far too many complaints to the Human Rights Commission regarding issues that related to pregnancy."

She said mammography facilities are not accredited leaving women to worry whether they can be assured of a high standard of detection of breast cancer.

Women were not tested for heart disease as much as men, resulting in inadequate detection rates, said Mrs. Young.

"Modern problems such as drugs and increased violence have infected the plight of women as well.

"Some women are prostituting themselves for drugs.

"There are children who are taking their mother and grandmother's pension cheques to buy drugs.

"The closure of the FairHavens drug facility for women means women are left without the support they need to surmount drug addiction.

"On International Women's Day, men and women should take a look around them and examine whether women are being treated equally and receiving social justice.

"Judgments in the courts need to reflect a gender sensitive-judicial system in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault."

Mrs. Young warned that worldwide HIV infections amongst heterosexual women was increasing.

Fertility rates were dropping, said Mrs. Young, which could reduce the future labour force.

"Seventy four percent of our children under five are enrolled in daycare or preschool and the expense of purchasing child care is a consideration in the number of children we have."