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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.
ABOUT 56 RESULTS
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Sierra Leone
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
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g. whereby persons of any such description as mentioned in subsection (3) may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, 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;
… (Sec. 27)
Education
Sierra Leone
- English(1) The Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal rights and adequate educational opportunities for all citizens at all levels by—
a. ensuring that every citizen is given the opportunity to be educated to the best of his ability, aptitude and inclination by providing educational facilities at all levels and aspects of education such as primary, secondary, vocational, technical, college and university;
b. safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, such as children, women and the disabled in security educational facilities; and
c. providing the necessary structures, finance and supportive facilities for education as and when practicable.
(2) The Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy, and to this end shall direct its educational policy towards achieving—
a. free adult literacy programmes;
b. free compulsory basic education at primary and junior secondary school levels; and
c. free senior secondary education as and when practicable.
… (Sec. 9)
Employment Rights and Protection
Sierra Leone
- English1. The State shall within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution—
...
c. protect the right of any citizen to engage in any economic activity without prejudice to the rights of any other person to participate in areas of the economy;
... (Sec. 7)
Employment Rights and Protection
Sierra Leone
- English...
(3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that—
a. every citizen, without discrimination on any grounds whatsoever, shall have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunities to secure suitable employment;
b. conditions of service and work are fair, just and humane and that there are adequate facilities for leisure and for social, religious and cultural life;
c. the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused, and in particular that special provisions be made for working women with children, having due regard to the resources of the State;
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e. there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, and that adequate and satisfactory remuneration is paid to all persons in employment;
… (Sec. 8)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sierra Leone
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7), and (8), no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any 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 race, tribe, sex, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such description are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
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d. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other interests of personal law; or
e. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe or customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons; or
f. for authorising the taking during a period of public emergency of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period of public emergency; or
g. whereby persons of any such description as mentioned in subsection (3) may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, 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;
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(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) to the extent that it makes provision with respect to qualifications for service as a public officer or as a member of a defence force or for the service of a local government authority or a body corporate established directly by any law or of membership of Parliament.
(6) Subsection (2) shall not apply to anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provisions of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or (5).
(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) may be subjected to any restriction of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 18, 22, 24, 25 and 262 being such a restriction as is authorised by subsection (3) of section 18, subsection (2) of section 22, subsection (5) of section 24, subsection (2) of section 25 or subsection (2) of section 26, as the case may be.
(8) The exercise of any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person under or by this Constitution or any other law shall not be enquired into by any Court on the grounds that it contravenes the provision of subsection (2). (Sec. 27)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sierra Leone
- EnglishWhereas every person in Sierra Leone is entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, has the right, whatever his race, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following—
a. ... the protection of law;
… (Sec. 15)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sierra Leone
- English(1) The Social Order of the State shall be founded on the ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice.
(2) In furtherance of the Social Order—
a. every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law, and the State shall ensure that every citizen has an equal right and access to all opportunities and benefits based on merit;
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c. the Government shall secure and maintain the independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law and unfettered access thereto, and to this end shall ensure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity, and that opportunities for securing justice are not denied any citizen by reason of economic or other disability.
… (Sec. 8)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sierra Leone
- English...
(2) Accordingly, the State shall promote national integration and unity and discourage discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, circumstance of birth, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.
… (Sec. 6)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
Sierra Leone
- English…
(2) In this Constitution unless a contrary intention appears—
a. words importing male persons shall include female persons and corporations;
… (Sec. 171)
Limitations and/or Derogations
Sierra Leone
- English...
(5) During a period of public emergency, the President may make such regulations and take such measures as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of maintaining and securing peace, order and good government in Sierra Leone or any part thereof.
(6) Without derogating from the generality of the powers conferred by subsection (5) and notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the regulations or measures may, so far as appears to the President to be necessary or expedient for any of the purposes mentioned in that subsection—
a. make provision for the detention of persons, the restriction of the movement of persons within defined localities, and the deportation and exclusion of persons other than citizens of Sierra Leone from Sierra Leone or any part thereof;
b. authorise—
i. the taking of possession or control on behalf of the Government of any property or undertaking;
ii. the acquisition on behalf of the Government of any property other than land;
c. authorise the entering and search of any premises;
d. amend any law, suspend the operation of any law, and apply any law with or without modification:
Provided that such amendment, suspension or modification shall not apply to this Constitution;
e. provide for charging, in respect of the grant or issue of any licence, permit, certificate or other document for the purpose of the regulations, such fees as may be prescribed by or under the regulations;
f. provide for payment of compensation and remuneration to persons affected by the regulations;
g. provide for the apprehension, trial and punishment of persons offending against the regulations;
h. provide for maintaining such supplies and services as are, in the opinion of the President, essential to the life and well-being of the community:
Provided that nothing in this subsection shall authorise the making of regulations during a period of public emergency for the trial of persons who are not members of defence forces by military courts.
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(18) 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 authorises the taking during a period of a state of public emergency of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists immediately before and during that period of a state of public emergency. (Sec. 29)