TORONTO, March 4 /CNW/ - To celebrate International Women's Day on March
8th, 2009, Scotiabank today hosted local women's groups to represent, share
and inform the public about the important work being done with and on behalf
of Canadian women.
    "International Women's Day brings women around the world together to
honour the strengths and accomplishments we have made in our communities,"
said Sylvia Chrominska, Group Head, Global Human Resources and Communications.
"The advancement of women is important for Scotiabank, its employees, and to
the customers and neighbourhoods we serve and we are proud to join in this day
of celebration."
    To recognize the diversity of activities in which Canadian women are
engaged, Scotiabank brought together its partners who actively support the
personal and professional growth and development of women. Participating
individuals and organizations included:-   Canadian Women's Hockey League
    -   Canadian Women's Foundation
    -   Catalyst (a research and advisory organization working globally with
        businesses and the professions to build inclusive environments and
        expand opportunities for women and business)
    -   Habitat for Humanity - Women Build
    -   Nightwood Theatre (a Canadian collaborative women's company)
    -   Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada
    -   YWCAThrough its offices in Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Puerto Rico,
Mexico, Chile, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Peru, Costa Rica and El
Salvador, Scotiabank is also making donations to organizations that are
working in the area of breast cancer awareness. The countries selected have an
active local network dedicated to the advancement of women. These donations
complement Scotiabank's broader strategy of supporting organizations active in
this field.
    "Scotiabank's commitment to supporting and inspiring women goes beyond
our own walls. Through the generosity and commitment of Scotiabank's partners,
employees and customers around the world we are helping to build a brighter
future for women and girls in the communities we call home," said Ms.
Chrominska.
    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2008 the Bank provided about $43 million in sponsorships and
donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of
healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Please visit us
at www.scotiabank.com.Appendix I

    Scotiabank Support for Women-focused InitiativesScotiabank supports a number of important organizations and initiatives
that are focused on supporting women on a personal and professional level. The
    following are a few of the many charities that Scotiabank and its
employees have been supporting in Canada and internationally. This is not an
inclusive list, but represents the broad-base of important women-focused
initiatives that Scotiabank is proud to support:Canada

    -   Alberta Council of Women's Shelters
    -   Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
    -   Canadian Women's Foundation
    -   Canadian Women's Hockey League
    -   Catalyst - works globally with businesses and the professions to
        build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women and
        business
    -   Dragon Boat teams
    -   Dress for Success Halifax
    -   Equal Voice - promotes the involvement of women in politics
    -   Habitat for Humanity (Women Build)
    -   Immigrant Women Services Ottawa
    -   London Health Sciences Centre - Scotiabank Breast Health Centre
    -   Medicine Hat Women's Shelter
    -   Nightwood Theatre - promotes creative alliances among women artists
    -   Quilt: A Breast Cancer Support Project
    -   Regina Women's Transition House
    -   Scotiabank Sunflower golf Tournament - in support of ovarian cancer
    -   Tour PEI - women's elite cycling
    -   University of Montreal Chair in Breast Cancer Research
    -   West Island Women's Shelter
    -   Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada
    -   Women in Leadership Foundation
    -   Women's Executive Network
    -   Women's Place of South Niagara
    -   World Conference on Breast Cancer
    -   YWCA Metro Toronto
    -   YWCA Montreal
    -   YWCA of Calgary
    -   YWCA Women of Distinction

    International

    -   Educar (Mexico) - provides education for underprivileged girls and
        night school for their families.
    -   Help and Shelter (Guyana) - work with abused women and children to
        provide counseling and care
    -   Manos Amigas (Costa Rica) - provides support to sexually abused girls
    -   Organization for the Development of Women (St. Vincent)
    -   Parenting Partners (St. Kitts) - provides services and support to
        teen mothers while in school
    -   Patronato de Sirama, Asociacion de Fomento Cultural y Deportivo (El
        Salvador) - outreach program that helps women become financially
        independent
    -   Proyecto Matria (Puerto Rico) - supports women affected by domestic
        violence
    -   Safe Haven Foundation (St. Maarten) - operates a shelter for abused
        women
    -   St. Lucia Crisis Centre - organizes arts and crafts workshops for
        unemployed mothers and abused women, to enables them to bring income
        to their households
    -   The Crisis Centre (Bahamas) - shares best practices for issues
        related to violence against women
    -   Unidas Contigo (Mexico) - breast cancer survivors provide support to
        women undergoing treatment, and increase awareness through education
    -   Un Kilo de Ayuda (Mexico) - provide training to mothers in poor
        regions on preventing child malnutrition and supplies bi-monthly food
        packages to their children
    -   Victorious Living Foundation (St. Maarten) - promotes programs geared
        at empowerment of women
    -   World Vision (Guyana) - provides training to assist women to become
        gainfully employed

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