Another Yemeni woman says she wants to run for president

Sanaa: A Yemeni woman intending to run for the presidency said on Thursday she will switch to a parliamentary system if she wins in the presidential elections due to be held next September.

"If I win I will turn the presidential system into a parliamentary system to enhance the power of the people and reduce power of the individual," the 41-year-old Rashida Al Qaili said.

Rashida is the second woman candidate for the country's highest post after Sumaya Ali Raja who declared her candidacy last December.

"I will do my best to abolish the Ministry of Information and all restrictions imposed on media and abolish all political security prisons," she added.

Instead, she said, "I will work on strengthening the role of the Ministry of Interior and criminal investigation to protect the rights and freedoms, safety and security."

The phrases "top secret", "secret dialogue", and "closed door sessions" will be no longer used in the dictionary of the political and administrative practices, she stressed.

"Transparency will be the official costume of the state," said Rashida who works as an educational advisor at the Ministry of Educaton.

The satirical columnist called upon the intellectuals and journalists in particular to help her overcome the difficulties and challenges that she will face while running for the post. "Time has come for intellectuals to occupy such a post," she said.

Rashida is an independent after she resigned from the largest Islamic opposition party (Islah)

"I haven't a tribe or a party to support me, but I have my pen and my love for my country, and I'm relying on the support of the community of intellectuals and journalists to whom I belong," said Rashida who writes for many opposition and government newspapers. The press prosecution summoned her twice for writing articles critical of officials.

The well-known writer pointed out that some independent political and tribal figures called upon her and promised her to provide all support in elections.

However, she did not expect much support from women. "Unfortunately, majority of women are illiterate and they are being told what to do," she said. "But if there are equal chances for candidates in using media and mosques to address women I think my platform will be clear and acceptable to women." She is married to a Yemeni poet and is the mother of three boys.

Rashida made it clear that her elections programme will be announced later.

"My programme will be different from all other programmes and I will announce it at the appropriate time," she said. "Experienced, honest, competent and strong people will help to determine the methods and styles for implementing the programme."

She said she wants to contribute to confirming the republican system, national unity and democratic system in her country.

"To rescue the republican system from tyranny? to rescue the national unity from threats of partitioning and secession? and to rescue the democracy from corruption?," she said in a statement sent to local media earlier in the week.

Rashida expressed her optimism about gaining the support of the people.