The Ethiopian Muslim Legal Professionals Association (EMLA) is pleased to announce a call for a working paper focusing on Ethiopian Muslim girls/women’s right to education vis-à-vis their right to practice their religion. This paper will be developed by our volunteer members through collaborative intellectual effort of our association and aims to scientifically identify the obstacles, and existing realities surrounding this issue and the steps that need to be taken to alleviate the challenge permanently. The paper will be peer reviewed and presented for a valuation seminar. The findings of this paper will enable the association to disseminate evidence-based research outputs to the Muslim Ummah, partners, and relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the paper will provide valuable insights for policymakers, EIASC, and support EMLA’s strategic litigation, advocacy, and guidance for victims, families, and communities. We invite passionate Muslim legal scholars, attorneys, academics, practitioners, students, and any interested individuals to contribute, either individually or jointly.
Submission Guide
• Abstract Submission: Interested applicant need to submit an abstract representing the scope and premises of their paper in a less than 500 words one pager until the 27th of May 2025.
• TOR (Terms of reference): Applicants may be required to submit a TOR and action plan detailing the list of activities, cost of data collection and time framework indicating the submission of the final draft of the article within 15 days of abstract acceptance.
• Concept Note: Applicants may be required to submit a concept note (including problems, objectives and methodology).
• Scope: The paper should not only identify the problem but also provide plausible solutions and point out the legal and instituonal reforms and preventive mechanisms.
• Full Paper: Full paper should be between 6000- 8,000 words, including the abstract/ executive summary, body, citations, and references. Authors should use Times New Roman, 12-point font size, and 1.5 spacing. Uniform citation style is required. OSCOLA citation format is highly recommended.
• Language: Working paper shall be written in English or Amharic Language.
• Submission Method: Both a concept notes and full paper shall be submitted to emlpa.org@gmail.com. Please use the subject line: “EMLA Working Paper Submission.”
• Personal Information: In the body of the email (but not on the concept note), provide the following information: full name, contact address, phone number, email address.
• Selection procedure: EMLA assigned abstract paper reviewers/judges, who evaluate and score the paper by using mathematical mean to determine winners. The final winner will be determined by calculating the average score of three reviewers/judges.
• Workshop and Presentation: The authors of winning working paper will be invited to present their paper at a physical or virtual workshop organized by EMLA.
• Important Note:
- EMLA does not have fund to cover entire costs of research but winner applicant shall use free EMLA stationary, printing and duplication services.
- EMLA will make a nominal honorarium payment to the paper presenters after submission of final paper that incorporates all comments reflected during the seminar/conference.
- EMLA covers costs of data collection and workshop for paper.
- By participating in this call for working paper, each author is permitted to publish, reproduce, and distribute your working paper, with appropriate credit given to the author. However, the copyright of the working will remain with the author. The views expressed in working paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect EMLA’s stance.
Important Dates
• Abstract submission: 27 May 2025.
• Notification of Accepted concept note and winner- June 4th 2025.
• Submission of full paper first draft entailing tentative findings: July 4th, 2025.
• Submission of Full Paper-July 14th 2025.
• Workshop Date and modality- will be announced.
For further questions or inquiries, please contact us at Mob- +251983073536 or email- emlpa.org@gmail.com.
