Ali Benflis promises to empower women

The independent candidate to the presidential election of 17 April, Ali Benflispledged Tuesday in El Tarf (650- km east of Algiers) to "empower women" if electedPresident of the Republic.During a meeting held on 17th day of election campaign, Benflis said "empoweringwomen is among the top priorities in his electoral programme." Women's promotion in the society requires the implementation of "many measuresand the fulfilment of the commitments made," including the "granting of interest-free micro-credits to women at home and the development of vocational trainingspecialities that interest them."Benflis also promised "to revise the law on information with participation of allthose involved in the public and private press sector, as well as the reform of the public television and the opening up to the opposition."The presidential candidate underlined his national revival project, which aims at"reforming the State structures, drawing up a consensus Constitution, fightingagainst corruption and supporting the independence of justice."Benflis also pledged to give special importance to youth and offering them theopportunity to hold positions of responsibility within State institutions.The presidential candidate called on the Algerian people "to go to polls on 17 Aprilto bring a peaceful change.