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.
Customary Law
- English
The Gabonese people,
…
Solemnly proclaim their adherence to their profound and traditional social values, to their cultural, material and spiritual patrimony, to respect for the freedoms, the rights and the duties of the citizen.
… (Preamble) - French
Le peuple gabonais,
…
Proclame solennellement son attachement à ses valeurs sociales profondes et traditionnelles, à son patrimoine culturel, matériel et spirituel, au respect des libertés, des droits et des devoirs du citoyen.
… (Préambule)
Customary Law
- English(1) Chiefs are the footstool of iNgwenyama and iNgwenyama rules through the Chiefs.
(2) The iNgwenyama may appoint any person to be chief over any area.
(3) The general rule is that every umphakatsi (Chief’s residence) is headed by a Chief who is appointed by iNgwenyama after the Chief has been selected by the lusendvo (family council) and shall vacate office in like manner.
(4) The position of a Chief as a local head of one or more areas is usually hereditary and is regulated by Swazi law and custom.
(5) Unless the situation otherwise requires, a chief shall assume office at the age of eighteen years or so soon thereafter as the period of mourning comes to an end.
(6) A Chief, as a symbol of unity and a father of the community, does not take part in partisan politics.
(7) A Chief may be appointed to any public office for which the Chief may be otherwise qualified.
(8) The powers and functions of chiefs are in accordance with Swazi law and custom or conferred by Parliament or iNgwenyama from time to time.
(9) In the exercise of the functions and duties of his office a Chief enforces a custom, tradition, practice or usage which is just and not discriminatory. (Sec. 233)
Customary Law
- English…
(3) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by marriage:
(a) those who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (1) or (2) hereof and who:
(aa) in good faith marry a Namibian citizen or, prior to the coming into force of this Constitution, in good faith married a person who would have qualified for Namibian citizenship if this Constitution had been in force; and
(bb) subsequent to such marriage have ordinarily resided in Namibia as the spouse of such person for a period of not less than ten (10) years; and
(cc) apply to become citizens of Namibia;
(b) for the purposes of this Sub-Article (and without derogating from any effect that it may have for any other purposes) a marriage by customary law shall be deemed to be a marriage: provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation which defines the requirements which need to be satisfied for a marriage by customary law to be recognised as such for the purposes of this Sub-Article.
… (Art. 4)
Customary Law
- English...
(4) The recognition of the fundamental rights set out in this Chapter11 does not deny the existence of any other rights that are recognized or conferred by Shari'ah, or by customary law or legislation to the extent that they are consistent with the Shari'ah and the Constitution. (Art. 40) - Somali…
(4) Xuquuqda asaasiga ah ee ku xusan Cutubkan kama hor-imaaan karaan xuquuqda kale ee Shareecada Islaamku jideysey iyo xeer-dhaqameedka la jaanqaadi kara Shareecada iyo Dastuurka. (Qodobka 40aad.)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe National House of Chiefs shall—
(a) advise any person or authority charged with any responsibility under this Constitution or any other law for any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy;
(b) undertake the progressive study, interpretation and codification of customary law with a view to evolving, in appropriate cases, a unified system of rules of customary law, and compiling the customary laws and lines of succession applicable to each stool or skin;
(c) undertake an evaluation of traditional customs and usages with a view to eliminating those customs and usages that are outmoded and socially harmful;
(d) perform such other functions, not being inconsistent with any function assigned to the House of Chiefs of a region, as Parliament may refer to it. (Art. 272)
Customary Law
- English1. 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)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(4) In this section, the expression "discrimination" means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 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.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to any law in so far as that law makes provision—
…
(c) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
(d) for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter in the case of persons who, under that law, are subject to that law.
… (Sec. 33)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament must provide for the following, in accordance with the prevailing culture, customs, traditions and practices of the communities concerned—
(a) the appointment, suspension, succession and removal of traditional leaders;
(b) the creation and resuscitation of chieftainships; and
(c) the resolution of disputes concerning the appointment, suspension, succession and removal of traditional leaders; but—
(i) the appointment, removal and suspension of Chiefs must be done by the President on the recommendation of the provincial assembly of Chiefs through the National Council of Chiefs and the Minister responsible for traditional leaders and in accordance with the traditional practices and traditions of the communities concerned;
(ii) disputes concerning the appointment, suspension and removal of traditional leaders must be resolved by the President on the recommendation of the provincial assembly of Chiefs through the Minister responsible for traditional leaders;
(iii) the Act must provide measures to ensure that all these matters are dealt with fairly and without regard to political considerations;
(iv) the Act must provide measures to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions and their independence from political interference. (Sec. 283)
Customary Law
- English…
2. The Supreme Court shall exercise competences as follows:
…
b. be the court of final judicial instance in respect of any litigation or prosecution under National or state law, including statutory and customary law;
… (Art. 126)