SEARCH DATABASE
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.
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
2. Concerning the basis of the principle of equality of the woman before the law, the public powers shall adopt legal initiatives and mechanisms to favor the adequate representation and participation of the woman in the provision of the offices [cargos] and other functions in all the institutions of the State.
… (Art. 13) - Spanish…
2. Sobre la base del principio de la igualdad de la mujer ante la ley, los poderes públicos adoptarán iniciativas legales y mecanismos para favorecer la adecuada representación y participación de la Mujer en el desempeño de los cargos y demás funciones en todas las Instituciones del Estado.
… (Art. 13) - French…
2. Conformément au principe d'égalité des femmes devant la loi, les pouvoirs publics prendront des initiatives en vue de l'adoption de lois et de mécanismes favorisant la représentation et participation adéquates des femmes dans l'exercice des charges et autres fonctions à l'intérieur de l'ensemble des institutions de l'État.
… (Art. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
The State works to promote parity between men and women in the market of employment.
The State encourages the promotion of women to responsibilities in the public institutions and administrations as well as at the level of enterprises. (Art. 68) - Arabic
تعمل الدولة على ترقية التناصف بين الرجال والنساء في سوق التشغيل.
تشجع الدولة ترقية المرأة في مناصب المسؤولية في الهيئات والإدارات العمومية وعلى مستوى المؤسسات. (المــادة 68) - French
L'Etat œuvre à promouvoir la parité entre les hommes et les femmes sur le marché de l'emploi.
L'Etat encourage la promotion de la femme aux responsabilités dans les institutions et administrations publiques ainsi qu'au niveau des entreprises. (Art. 68)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
(5) Women must be included in all national institutions, in an effective way, in particular all elected and appointed positions across the three branches of government and in national independent commissions. (Art. 3) - Somali…
(5) Haweenku waa in ay ka mid noqdaan dhammaan hay’adaha guud ee qaranka, si wax-ku-ool ah, gaar ahaan jagooyinka la isu doorto iyo kuwa la isu magacaabo ee saddexda laamood ee Dawladda iyo Guddiyada Madaxbannaan ee Qaranka. (Qodobka 3aad.)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
…
Reaffirming our adherence and our attachment to the Conventions of the United Nations on the Rights of the Child and on the Rights of Women, particularly to the objective of the parity of man-woman representation within the institutions of the country as well as to the international instruments concerning the protection and promotion of human rights;
… (Preamble)3 - French
…
Réaffirmant notre adhésion et notre attachement à la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, à la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, aux Conventions des Nations Unies sur les Droits de l’Enfant et sur les Droits de la Femme, particulièrement à l’objectif de la parité de représentation homme-femme au sein des institutions du pays ainsi qu’aux instruments internationaux relatifs à la protection et à la promotion des droits humains;
… (Préambule)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English(1) All persons shall be equal before the law.
(2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status.
(3) For the purposes of this article, "discriminate" means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description which are not granted of persons of another description are not made subject or are granted privileges or advantages which are not granted to persons of another description.
(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are reasonably necessary to provide-
(a) for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalance in the Ghanaian society;
...
(d) for making different provision for different communities having regard to their special circumstances not being provision which is inconsistent with the spirit of this Constitution.
... (Art. 17)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- EnglishThe State shall actively promote the welfare and development of the people of Malawi by progressively adopting and implementing policies and legislation aimed at achieving the following goals—
a. Gender Equality
To obtain gender equality through—
(i) full participation of women in all spheres of Malawian society on the basis of equal opportunities with men;
(ii) the implementation of the principles of nondiscrimination and such other measures as may be required;
… (Sec. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English1. The National Government shall establish independent institutions and commissions as provided for by this Constitution. Such institutions and commissions shall perform their functions and duties impartially and without interference from any person or authority.
…
3. The National Government shall ensure that at least twenty-five percent of the membership of each of these institutions and commissions shall be women. (Art. 142)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English(1) The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to facilitate rapid and equitable development, and in particular must take measures to—
(a) promote private initiative and self-reliance;
(b) foster agricultural, commercial, industrial, technological and scientific development;
(c) foster the development of industrial and commercial enterprises in order to empower Zimbabwean citizens; and
(d) bring about balanced development of the different areas of Zimbabwe, in particular a proper balance in the development of rural and urban areas.
(2) Measures referred to in this section must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them.
(3) Measures referred to in this section must protect and enhance the right of the people, particularly women, to equal opportunities in development.
… (Sec. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English...
(2) Nothing contained in Article 10 hereof shall prevent Parliament from enacting legislation providing directly or indirectly for the advancement of persons within Namibia who have been socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged by past discriminatory laws or practices, or for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalances in the Namibian society arising out of discriminatory laws or practices, or for achieving a balanced structuring of the public service, the defence force, the police force, and the correctional service.
(3) In the enactment of legislation and the application of any policies and practices contemplated by Sub-Article (2) hereof, it shall be permissible to have regard to the fact that women in Namibia have traditionally suffered special discrimination and that they need to be encouraged and enabled to play a full, equal and effective role in the political, social, economic and cultural life of the nation. (Art. 23)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- EnglishThe State works for the promotion of the political rights of the woman for a better representation within the elected assemblies, the institutions and the public and private administrations.
The modalities of application of this Article are established by the law. (Art. 34) - Arabicتعمل الدولة على تعزيز الحقوق السياسية للمرأة من أجل تمثيل أفضل في المجالس المنتخبة والمؤسسات والإدارات الخاصة والعامة.
يحدد القانون طرائق تطبيق هذه المادة. (المادة 34) - FrenchL'Etat œuvre à la promotion des droits politiques de la femme par une meilleure représentation dans les assemblées élues, les institutions et administrations publiques et privées.
Les modalités d'application de cet article sont fixées par la loi. (Art. 34)