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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (4),(5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6),(7) and (8) of this section, no persons shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any persons acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, color or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such descriptions are not made subject or are recorded privileges of advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law do far as that law makes provision-
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c. for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section (or of persons connected with such persons), of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters that is the personal law of persons of that description;
d. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage that, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relating to sex, race, place or origin, political opinions, color or creed) to be required of any person who is appointed to or to act in any office or employment.
(6) Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorized to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or subsection (5) of this section.
(7) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 7,9,10,11 add 12 if this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorized by section 7(2), section 9(5)m section 10(2)m section 11(2) or paragraph (a), (b) or (h) of section 12(3), as the case may be.
(8) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 13)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishEvery person shall be equal under the law and shall be entitled to equal protection. The government shall take no action to discriminate against any person on the basis of sex, race, place of origin, language, religion or belief, social status or clan affiliation except for the preferential treatment of citizens, for the protection of minors, elderly, indigent, physically or mentally handicapped, and other similar groups, and in matters concerning intestate succession and domestic relations. No person shall be treated unfairly in legislative or executive investigation. (Art. IV, Sec. 5)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the people of South Africa…
We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to- …
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; … (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishAll persons are equal in law. There shall be no distinction among the citizens of the UAE on the basis of race, nationality, faith or social status. (Art. 25)
- Arabicجميع الأفراد لدى القانون سواء ولا تمييز بين مواطني الاتحاد بسبب الأصل أو المواطن أو العقيدة الدينية أو المركز الاجتماعي. (المادّة 25)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe state shall be obligated to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, preservation of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, attainment of national unity as well as equality between all peoples and tribes and balance development of all areas of the country. (Art. 6)
- Dariدولت به ایجاد یك جامعه مرفه و مترقی بر اساس عدالت اجتماعی، حفظ كرامت انسانی، حمایت حقوق بشر، تحقق دموكراسی، تأمین وحدت ملی، برابری بین همه اقوام و قبایل و انكشاف متوازن در همه مناطق كشور مكلف می باشد. (مادۀ ۶)
- Pashtoدولت، د انساني كرامت په ساتلو، بشري حقوقو د ملاتړ، د دموكراسۍ د تحقق، ملي وحدت د تأمين، د ټولو قومونو او قبايلو ترمنـځ د برابرۍ او د هېواد په ټولو سيمو كې د متوازنې پراختيا او ټولنيز عدالت پر بنسټ د يوې هوسا او پرمختللې ټولنې په جوړولو مكلف دى. (۶ ماده)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
The citizens are equal before the law and have right to an equal protection of it, without any discrimination because of birth, of race, of gender, of opinion or of any other condition or personal or social circumstance being able to prevail. (Art. 37)
- Arabic
كل المواطنين سواسية أمام القانون، ولهم الحق في حماية متساوية. ولا يمكن أن يُتذرّع بأيّ تمييز يعود سببه إلى المولِد، أو العِرق، أو الجِنس، أو الرّأي، أو أيّ شرط أو ظرف آخر، شخصيّ أو اجتماعيّ. (المــادة 37)
- French
Les citoyens sont égaux devant la loi et ont droit à une égale protection de celle-ci, sans que puisse prévaloir aucune discrimination pour cause de naissance, de race, de sexe, d'opinion ou de toute autre condition ou circonstance personnelle ou sociale. (Art. 37)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the Togolese people, …
* we affirm our determination to cooperate in peace, amity and solidarity with all people of the world enamored of [épris] the democratic ideal, on the basis of the principles of equality, of mutual respect and of sovereignty, ... (Preamble) - FrenchNous, Peuple togolais, …
Affirmons notre détermination à coopérer dans la paix, l'amitié et la solidarité avec tous les peuples du monde épris de l'idéal démocratique, sur la base des principes d'égalité, de respect mutuel de la souveraineté ; … (Préambule)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English…
Respecting the will of the Croatian nation and all citizens so unwaveringly expressed in free elections, the Republic of Croatia is hereby established and shall further develop as a sovereign and democratic state in which equality, freedoms and human and citizen rights are guaranteed and secured, and economic and cultural advancement and social welfare are promoted. (I. Historical Foundations) - Croatian…
Poštujući na slobodnim izborima odlučno izraženu volju hrvatskoga naroda i svih građana, Republika Hrvatska oblikuje se i razvija kao suverena i demokratska država u kojoj se jamče i osiguravaju ravnopravnost, slobode i prava čovjeka i državljanina, te promiče njihov gospodarski i kulturni napredak i socijalno blagostanje. (I. Izvorišne Osnove)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English…
2. The Republic of Cabo Verde shall recognize the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction as to social origin or economic status, race, sex, religion, political or ideological convictions and social status and shall ensure the full exercise of fundamental freedoms by all citizens.
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4. The Republic of Cabo Verde shall create gradually the conditions indispensable for the removal of all obstacles that may hinder the full development of the human person and limit the equality of its citizens, as well as their effective participation in the political, economic, social and cultural organization of the State and of the Cabo Verdean society. (Art. 1) - Portuguese…
2. A República de Cabo Verde reconhece a igualdade de todos os cidadãos perante a lei, sem distinção de origem social ou situação económica, raça, sexo, religião, convicções políticas ou ideológicas e condição social e assegura o pleno exercício por todos os cidadãos das liberdades fundamentais.
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4. A República de Cabo Verde criará progressivamente as condições indispensáveis à remoção de todos os obstáculos que possam impedir o pleno desenvolvimento da pessoa humana e limitar a igualdade dos cidadãos e a efectiva participação destes na organização política, económica, social e cultural do Estado e da sociedade cabo-verdiana. (Art. 1)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe public powers see to the elimination of any form of discrimination concerning women and assure the protection and the promotion of their rights.
… (Art. 14) - FrenchLes pouvoirs publics veillent à l’élimination de toute forme de discrimination à l’égard de la femme et assurent la protection et la promotion de ses droits.
… (Art. 14)