Women's rights are to come under the scope of a new Government-appointed council.

Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield said the 15-member Women's Council was created to deal with outstanding issues.

She told a press conference yesterday that the council will examine current issues as well as those outlined in a 1997 report and still waiting to be addressed.

Equal pay, workplace sexual harassment, maternity leave, marriage licences and violence against women are among the issues to be looked at.

"To this end, the women of Bermuda will now have a body which represents them with their views and experiences taken into account when policies are made with respect to women's equality," Ms Butterfield said, adding that Bermuda needs a single group with a broad remit for women's affairs.

"The mandate of the council will be to empower women to work together toward improving the quality of life for women, families and society."

Centre Against Abuse head Laurie Shiell was named the council's chairperson.

She heads to Anguilla this month to attend the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) with Elaine Williams of the Women's Resource Centre, Deborah Blakeney, Deborah Bradford and Jane Brett from the Department of Human Affairs.

Ms Blakeney said Bermuda hopes to become a signatory to CEDAW in the coming year.

"We have a legal consultant who has just come on board to start looking at Bermuda's legislation for discriminatory provisions. That's the first step. At the convention we'll find out what else is necessary for Bermuda to sign on."

The CEDAW conference runs from October 27 to 29.

Ms Butterfield said Government has designated March 8 for the annual observance of International Women's Day, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year.