A well established women's business association is set to realign itself as a force which will lobby Government on issues such as violence against women, childcare and maternity leave.

The Business and Professional Women's Association has made a pledge to go back to grass roots and fight for the needs of women in the Island.

"Top of our agenda are child care, children's education maternity leave and violence against women,'' said Cynthia Thomas, president of the group. She said the organisation would team up with other women's organisations to help solve real issues that affect real women.

Mrs. Thomas, who was recently re-elected president said the group was looking for new members to help revitalise the group.

"I am really worried about every day Bermudian mothers,'' said Mrs. Thomas, an attorney who works at the Registrar of Companies. "If we give good nurturing to children we will get better adults.'' She said that childcare, for both pre-school and school age children, should be looked at as well as the worrying trend of violence against women.

"We want to take on more of a lobbying role. The women who forged the group, in the 1970s, that is what they were involved in and we need to get back into this.'' The group has over 30 members currently and hopes to boost membership by being involved in addressing the many women's issues on the Island as well as providing a place to network for women.

She said membership is open to all women who work, and not just exclusively "business'' women.

"There are many reasons for women to join our organisation,'' she said.

"There are the international aspects as we are part of the international body the Federation of Business and Professional Women's Association, which make us more of an international presence than other women's organisations I know of here.'' She added that working women with young children in pre-school would also benefit from membership.

"The education of a two-year-old is very important. It is not just about watching a child sleep, it is about teaching them.'' BPWA to lobby on women's issues And she said it was important for good smaller child-care businesses to get the support they needed from Government agencies to keep going.

"I think nurseries could be supported through Government-aided places for pre-school.'' She said there was a fear among working women that an underground of childcare would grow up which could be open to abuse from unqualified workers or even paedophiles without proper supervision.

"Violence is another worrying issue. People are so hush-hush about it, and not able to talk about it. There is shame an a fear of not being believed. But if you don't talk about it other people are going to be the victims of violence.'' Tina Adderley, second vice president of the group, said that young women in the community would also be targeted by the organisation to help them focus on their education.

"People are worried about their children's education and sending their children to private school, and then working two or three jobs to keep them there, and in the end the child loses out of the king of parenting they may need,'' said Ms Adderley.

She added: "We want every woman who works to feel she can join and be a viable part of Bermuda.'' The membership costs $50 a year plus an initial $15 to join. For membership forms, contact Tina Adderley on 294 3408.