Sponsors UN global website and launches local campaigns in support of women

TORONTO, March 8, 2012 /CNW/ - In celebration of women worldwide, and as Canada's most international bank, Scotiabank today marked International Women's Day locally with a series of women's initiatives and campaigns and globally with sponsorship of the official UN International Women's Day website.

The International Women's Day website, www.internationalwomensday.com is a global hub of women-focused information and resources aimed at recognizing and celebrating the challenges and achievements of women worldwide including a global directory of events taking place on International Women's Day. As a sponsor, site visitors to the official UN site will also find profiles of Scotiabank women and learn about the Bank's diversity and inclusion programs and policies.

"International Women's Day is a great opportunity to recognize and support the challenges and successes of women worldwide," said Sylvia Chrominska, Group Head of Global Human Resources and Communications for Scotiabank.  "We are proud to support the International Women's Day website which offers a rich source of information on women's issues, events and successes. With more than 75,000 employees located in more than 55 countries, supporting this flagship UN resource is a natural fit for Scotiabank."

Across its operations, Scotiabank is also sponsoring a number of local events and workshops for women employees as part of the Bank's commitment to being a leader in the advancement of women. In Toronto, Scotiabank women will attend a 'Finance for Women' luncheon and an afternoon career event.

In keeping with the Bank's long history of supporting women and communities, Scotiabankers in Canada and internationally are launching local campaigns to meet the unique needs of women's organizations in their localities. In Toronto, Scotiabankers are concluding the third annual Toiletries Drive which collects essential toiletries for women's shelters. This year the collection is being donated to the Woodgreen Homeward Bound program. Similar campaigns will take place across Canada.

NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo of the mountain of toiletries collected by Toronto Scotiabankers accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.