I am delighted to meet Her Excellency Mrs. #MeazaAshenafi, former President and Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia, at the African Union. #MeazaAshenafi
#President, #FederalSupremeCourt #Ethiopia #SupportWomeninLaw
#SayYesToEqualPay #SayYesToEqualPromotion
#WomenInCharge
#ChampionWomenLeaders.
#womeninleadershipmatters
#herleadershipcounts
#HeforShe #EqualPay #EqualityCantWait #Inspireinclusion
#GenderEquality #WomenInLaw #IAWL9 #LegalEmpowerment #AU #GenderJustice #WomenLeadership #EqualityInLaw #ChampionWomenLeaders #HerLeadershipCounts
IAWL ~ Institute for African Women in Law
#President, #FederalSupremeCourt #Ethiopia #SupportWomeninLaw
#SayYesToEqualPay #SayYesToEqualPromotion
#WomenInCharge
#ChampionWomenLeaders.
#womeninleadershipmatters
#herleadershipcounts
#HeforShe #EqualPay #EqualityCantWait #Inspireinclusion
#GenderEquality #WomenInLaw #IAWL9 #LegalEmpowerment #AU #GenderJustice #WomenLeadership #EqualityInLaw #ChampionWomenLeaders #HerLeadershipCounts
IAWL ~ Institute for African Women in Law
The recent disqualification of Dire Dawa University’s all-women moot court team from the 9th Ethiopian Law Schools National Moot Court Competition is deeply disappointing and raises serious concerns about fairness and accountability. Despite a formal request for reconsideration, the Organizing Committee ignored the appeal and threatened future exclusion for challenging their decision. As the coach of last year's undefeated team, I can attest to the current team's dedication and skill, making their dismissal particularly disheartening.
Dire Dawa University has always championed women's empowerment in line with our constitutional values, and this decision undermines those principles. The committee's failure to apply rules with a moral compass reflects a troubling disregard for gender equity and educational integrity, risking further deterring women from pursuing legal careers.
In light of these events, we must reconsider our participation in competitions that do not uphold fairness and justice. I urge stakeholders in Ethiopian legal education to reflect on the purpose of such competitions and commit to fostering an environment of growth and equity for all students.
Via Alemseged Dejenie
Lecturer at DDUSOL
As a member of the Dire Dawa University (DDU) Moot Court Team, I want to share a story of dedication, discrimination, and the fight for fairness.
The Preparation: Unshakable Confidence
Our coach molded us into an unstoppable team, sharpening our skills and knowledge until we stood as some of the best orators. We went to Mizan Tepi University with unshakable confidence—not because we hoped to win, but because we knew we had given everything.
The Shock: Disqualified for Being Women
After dominating the preliminary rounds, we waited for results—not to see if we passed, but to see by how much we had won. Then came the blow: disqualification. Not for lack of skill, not for weak arguments, but because we were an all-female team. 180 points deducted. For a moment, I thought it was a mistake. Then came the justification: "Gender composition."
The Reality: A Rule Designed to Exclude
This wasn’t about procedure—it was about bias.
1. "I might be biased if a female orator stands before me," one judge admitted. Should women be penalized because of someone else’s prejudice? Would a case be dismissed because the lawyer is a woman?
2. "Gender composition" was twisted to mean exclusion, not inclusion. In a world where men dominate opportunities, how does barring women promote equality?
3. They knew. The committee saw our team at registration, during memorial submissions (where we ranked top out of 30+ universities), and even issued us tickets for the oral rounds—yet stayed silent until the last moment.
The Fight Isn’t Just for Us—It’s for Every Sister Who Comes Next
I can’t undo what happened to my team. But I can ensure no other woman faces this injustice. If this decision stands, it sets a dangerous precedent: that women must conform to arbitrary rules rather than compete on merit.
A Call for Justice
We don’t seek pity—we demand fairness. The law should empower, not exclude. If "gender composition" is meant to ensure diversity, then why punish women for succeeding?
This is bigger than one competition. It’s about whether our sisters will face the same barriers tomorrow.
I stand for change. Who will stand with me?
#MootCourt #GenderEquality #JusticeForDDU #WomenInLaw #EqualOpportunity
Dire Dawa University has always championed women's empowerment in line with our constitutional values, and this decision undermines those principles. The committee's failure to apply rules with a moral compass reflects a troubling disregard for gender equity and educational integrity, risking further deterring women from pursuing legal careers.
In light of these events, we must reconsider our participation in competitions that do not uphold fairness and justice. I urge stakeholders in Ethiopian legal education to reflect on the purpose of such competitions and commit to fostering an environment of growth and equity for all students.
Via Alemseged Dejenie
Lecturer at DDUSOL
As a member of the Dire Dawa University (DDU) Moot Court Team, I want to share a story of dedication, discrimination, and the fight for fairness.
The Preparation: Unshakable Confidence
Our coach molded us into an unstoppable team, sharpening our skills and knowledge until we stood as some of the best orators. We went to Mizan Tepi University with unshakable confidence—not because we hoped to win, but because we knew we had given everything.
The Shock: Disqualified for Being Women
After dominating the preliminary rounds, we waited for results—not to see if we passed, but to see by how much we had won. Then came the blow: disqualification. Not for lack of skill, not for weak arguments, but because we were an all-female team. 180 points deducted. For a moment, I thought it was a mistake. Then came the justification: "Gender composition."
The Reality: A Rule Designed to Exclude
This wasn’t about procedure—it was about bias.
1. "I might be biased if a female orator stands before me," one judge admitted. Should women be penalized because of someone else’s prejudice? Would a case be dismissed because the lawyer is a woman?
2. "Gender composition" was twisted to mean exclusion, not inclusion. In a world where men dominate opportunities, how does barring women promote equality?
3. They knew. The committee saw our team at registration, during memorial submissions (where we ranked top out of 30+ universities), and even issued us tickets for the oral rounds—yet stayed silent until the last moment.
The Fight Isn’t Just for Us—It’s for Every Sister Who Comes Next
I can’t undo what happened to my team. But I can ensure no other woman faces this injustice. If this decision stands, it sets a dangerous precedent: that women must conform to arbitrary rules rather than compete on merit.
A Call for Justice
We don’t seek pity—we demand fairness. The law should empower, not exclude. If "gender composition" is meant to ensure diversity, then why punish women for succeeding?
This is bigger than one competition. It’s about whether our sisters will face the same barriers tomorrow.
I stand for change. Who will stand with me?
#MootCourt #GenderEquality #JusticeForDDU #WomenInLaw #EqualOpportunity