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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.

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Customary Law

Micronesia, Federated States of
  • English
    Nothing in this Constitution takes away a role or function of a traditional leader as recognized by custom and tradition, or prevents a traditional leader from being recognized, honored, and given formal or functional roles at any level of government as may be prescribed by this Constitution or by statute. (Art. V, Sec. 1)

Customary Law

Namibia
  • English
    ...
    (5) There shall be a Council of Traditional Leaders to be established in terms of an Act of Parliament in order to advise the President on the control and utilization of communal land and on all such other matters as may be referred to it by the President for advice. (Art. 102)

Customary Law

Samoa
  • English

    (1) There shall be a Land and Titles Court comprising of:
    (a) Land and Titles First Court;
    (b) Land and Titles High Court; and
    (c) Land and Titles Court of Appeal and Review,
    and all appointments and with such jurisdiction in relation to matai title and customary lands provided in this 'Part IX Land and Titles Court' of the Constitution, or an Act of Parliament.
    (2) The Courts in this Part IX Land and Titles Court has special jurisdiction, it governs a legal system different and separate from that of the Civil and Criminal Courts in Part VI; and has special individual jurisdiction over the subject of Samoan customs and usages in relation to matai titles and customary lands.
    (3) All persons are entitled to the protection of their custom rights the subject of the jurisdiction of the courts in this Part. (Art. 104)

  • Samoan

    (1) O le a i ai se Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa e aofia ai:
    (a) Faamasinoga Muamua o Fanua ma Suafa;
    (b) Faamasinoga Maualuga o Fanua ma Suafa; ma le
    (c) Faamasinoga o Talosaga ma Iloiloga o Fanua ma Suafa,
    ma tofiga ma lana puleaga faatatau i mataupu e faasino i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu ua aiaia i lenei 'Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa' o le Faavae, po o se Tulafono a le Palemene.
    (2) O Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega IX Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa, e i ai puleaga faapitoa, na te puleaina se faiga faaletulafono ese ma e tu ese mai i Faamasinoga o Mataupu Tau le Va o Tagata ma Solitulafono o i ai i le Vaega VI; ma e i ai le puleaga toatasi faapitoa i mataupu tau i tu ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma Jo latou faaaogaina e faatatau i suafa matai ma eleele faa-le-aganuu.
    (3) E agavaa tagata uma i le puipuiga o a latou aia tatau i aganuu faa-Samoa, o le mataupu autu o le puleaga a Faamasinoga i lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 104)

Customary Law

Somalia
  • English
    …
    (4) Female circumcision is a cruel and degrading customary practice, and is tantamount to torture. The circumcision of girls is prohibited.
    … (Art. 15)
  • Somali
    …
    (4) Gudniinka gabdhaha waa caado naxariis-darro iyo xaqiraad u dhiganta jirdil. Gudniinka gabdhaha waa reeban yahay.
    … (Qodobka 15aad.)

Customary Law

Ecuador
  • English
    The authorities of the indigenous communities, peoples, and nations shall perform jurisdictional duties, on the basis of their ancestral traditions and their own system of law, within their own territories, with a guarantee for the participation of, and decision-making by, women. The authorities shall apply their own standards and procedures for the settlement of internal disputes, as long as they are not contrary to the Constitution and human rights enshrined in international instruments.
    The State shall guarantee that the decisions of indigenous jurisdiction are observed by public institutions and authorities. These decisions shall be subject to monitoring of their constitutionality. The law shall establish the mechanisms for coordination and cooperation between indigenous jurisdiction and regular jurisdiction. (Art. 171)
  • Spanish
    Las autoridades de las comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades indígenas ejercerán funciones jurisdiccionales, con base en sus tradiciones ancestrales y su derecho propio, dentro de su ámbito territorial, con garantía de participación y decisión de las mujeres. Las autoridades aplicarán normas y procedimientos propios para la solución de sus conflictos internos, y que no sean contrarios a la Constitución y a los derechos humanos reconocidos en instrumentos internacionales.
    El Estado garantizará que las decisiones de la jurisdicción indígena sean respetadas por las instituciones y autoridades públicas. Dichas decisiones estarán sujetas al control de constitucionalidad. La ley establecerá los mecanismos de coordinación y cooperación entre la jurisdicción indígena y la jurisdicción ordinaria. (Art. 171)

Customary Law

Tuvalu
  • English

    1. Every person in Tuvalu is entitled, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, religious beliefs or lack of religious beliefs, disability, or sex, to the following fundamental rights and freedoms:-
    ...
    (2) The rights and freedoms referred to in subsection (1) can, in Tuvaluan society, be exercised only –
    ...
    (b) in acceptance of Tuvaluan values and culture, and with respect for them.
    … (Sec. 11)

Customary Law

South Sudan
  • English
    ...
    7. Rights in land and resources owned, held or otherwise acquired by the Government shall be exercised through the appropriate or designated level of government which shall recognize customary land rights under customary land law.
    8. All levels of government shall institute a process to progressively develop and amend the relevant laws to incorporate customary rights and practices and local heritage.
    … (Art. 171)

Customary Law

China
  • English
    …
    The people of all nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve or reform their own ways and customs. (Art. 4)
  • Chinese
    …
    各民族都有使用和发展自己的语言文字的自由，都有保持或者改革自己的风俗习惯的自由 (第四条)

Customary Law

Samoa
  • English

    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, customs may be taken into account in all courts under this Part. (Art. 71)

  • Samoan

    I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i aiaiga o lenei Faavae, o aganuu e mafai ona amanaia i faamasinoga uma i lalo o lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 71)

Customary Law

Zambia
  • English
    1. This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic of Zambia and any other written law, customary law and customary practice that is inconsistent with its provisions is void to the extent of the inconsistency.
    … (Art. 1)