ALGERIA: One hundred and seventy seven women graduate from Ain El Beniane Police Academy

Record ID: 573610

  • Title: ALGERIA: One hundred and seventy seven women graduate from Ain El Beniane Police Academy
  • Date: 18th March 2009
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES LOOKING ON
  • Embargoed: 2nd April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Police,Employment
  • Reuters ID: LVA61BUGMSXH0IERCDT3D7BOI9VV
  • Story Text: Algeria's burgeoning female police force welcomed 177 new recruits on Saturday (March 15), who are set to join more than 10,000 women already serving to keep the peace in the North African country.
    Algerian Minister of Interior, Noureddine Yazid Zerhouni, presided over the graduation of the 5th women's contingent at the Ain El Beniane Police Academy.
    Zerhouni was joined by head of National Security, Ali Tounsi, and other dignitaries at a ceremony that featured processions and a demonstration of martial arts and other combat techniques.
    25-year-old police graduate Karima Khetab said she has a lot to live up to.

    "I cannot describe my joy. My wish has come true and god-willing I will be up to the task," she said, after embracing loved ones at the ceremony.

    "It is the happiest day of my life. My wish has come true.
    Thank god. I hope God will grant me a successful career and that I will be up to the task that has been bestowed upon me by the General Directorate for National Security," said Housa Azizi, another graduate.
    With more than 7.8 percent of its total police force composed of women, Algeria boasts the largest female contingent in the Arab world.
    But despite the statistics, 60-year-old Hassiba Mensouri, could not believe her eyes when she saw her daughter graduate.

    "I never thought that Algerian women could be like this. Thank god, thank god, thank god!" she said.
    Despite the prevalence of conservative values in majority-Muslim Algeria, Director General of National Security Ali Tounsi said last May that women wearing the hijab would be barred from joining the police.
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