Bermuda is one of the last countries in the world not to have signed up for the United Nations' Bill of Rights for women -- but that could soon change.

The Bermuda arm of world-wide human-rights organisation Amnesty International is set to circulate a petition urging Bermuda's government to formally recognise the importance of officially protecting women.

And it will be presented to Premier Jennifer Smith on International Women's Day, March 8.

Amnesty International Bermuda Section director LeYoni Junos said the organisers of the push to have the Government ratify the "Bill of Rights for women'' hoped to get 10,000 signatures on the petition.

She said the importance of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women was accepted all over the globe.

And almost 200 countries had signed up making it the second most widely subscribed international treaty on human rights.

"Bermuda and the US are probably the only two countries in the so-called developed world that have not signed the Convention,'' she said.

"It is an opportunity for the Island as a whole to make a very loud and clear statement to the international community that we care deeply about human rights and do not tolerate violence and discrimination against women.

"Effectively the Convention is an international Bill of Rights for women.'' The petitions will be circulated next week and organisers are seeking the support of the entire community including corporate Bermuda, charities and professional organisations.

Ms Junos said signing the Convention would open the way to accept UN jurisdiction over violations of the Convention.

Amnesty members, supporters and others who want to support the campaign are urged to contact Ms Junos on 296-3249.