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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 2930 RESULTS
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Bahamas
- English1. Subject to the provision of paragraph (4), (5) and (9) of this Article no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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3. In this Article, the expression "discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different person attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin political opinions colour or creed whereby person of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which person 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. Paragraph (1) of this Article shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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d. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in paragraph (3) for this Article 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;
… (Art. 26)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Guyana
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of this article -
(a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect; and
(b) no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
(2) In this article the expression ‘discriminatory’ means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their or their parents’ or guardians’ respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, age, disability, marital status, sex, gender, language, birth, social class, pregnancy, religion, conscience, belief or culture whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which other persons of the same or another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not afforded to persons of another such description.
(3) Paragraph (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision -
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(c) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding paragraph 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.
… (Art. 149)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Mexico
- English...
A. This Constitution recognizes and guarantees the right of indigenous peoples and communities to self-determination and, consequently, to the autonomy to:
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VII. Elect, in the municipalities with indigenous population, representatives to the ayuntamientos [local or town councils], observing the principle of parity of gender in accordance with the applicable norms.
The constitutions and laws of the federative entities recognize and regulate these rights in the municipalities, with the aim of strengthening the political participation and representation in accordance with their traditions and internal norms.
... (Art. 2) - Spanish...
A. Esta Constitución reconoce y garantiza el derecho de los pueblos y las comunidades indígenas a la libre determinación y, en consecuencia, a la autonomía para:
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VII. Elegir, en los municipios con población indígena, representantes ante los ayuntamientos, observando el principio de paridad de género conforme a las normas aplicables.
Las constituciones y leyes de las entidades federativas reconocerán y regularán estos derechos en los municipios, con el propósito de fortalecer la participación y representación política de conformidad con sus tradiciones y normas internas.
... (Art. 2)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Paraguay
- EnglishMen and women have equal civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. The State will promote the conditions and will create the adequate mechanisms for, making equality real and effective, by leveling [allanando] the obstacles that prevent or hinder its exercise and facilitating the participation of women in all areas [ámbitos] of the national life. (Art. 48)
- SpanishEl hombre y la mujer tienen iguales derechos civiles, políticos, sociales, económicos y culturales. El Estado promoverá las condiciones y creará los mecanismos adecuados para que la igualdad sea real y efectiva, allanando los obstáculos que impidan o dificulten su ejercicio y facilitando la participación de la mujer en todos los ámbitos de la vida nacional. (Art. 48)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Haiti
- EnglishThe principle of the quota of at least thirty percent (30%) of women is recognized at all levels of national life, notably in the public services. (Art. 17-1)
- FrenchLe principe du quota d’au moins trente pour cent (30%) de femmes est reconnu à tous les niveaux de la vie nationale, notamment dans les services publics. (Art. 17.1)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- English(1) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, birth out of wedlock, political opinions or affiliations, colour, sex 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 that 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) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) 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.
… (Sec. 15)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Ecuador
- EnglishThe exercise of rights shall be governed by the following principles:
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2. …
The State shall adopt affirmative action measures that promote real equality for the benefit of the rights-bearers who are in a situation of inequality.
… (Art. 11) - SpanishEI ejercicio de los derechos se regirá por los siguientes principios:
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2. ...
El Estado adoptará medidas de acción afirmativa que promuevan la igualdad real en favor de los titulares de derechos que se encuentren en situación de desigualdad.
... (Art. 11)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Canada
- English(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. (Constitution Act 1982, Sec. 15) - French(1) La loi ne fait acception de personne et s’applique également à tous, et tous ont droit à la même protection et au même bénéfice de la loi, indépendamment de toute discrimination, notamment des discriminations fondées sur la race, l’origine nationale ou ethnique, la couleur, la religion, le sexe, l’âge ou les déficiences mentales ou physiques.
(2) Le paragraphe (1) n’a pas pour effet d’interdire les lois, programmes ou activités destinés à améliorer la situation d’individus ou de groupes défavorisés, notamment du fait de leur race, de leur origine nationale ou ethnique, de leur couleur, de leur religion, de leur sexe, de leur âge ou de leurs déficiences mentales ou physiques. (Loi constitutionnelle de 1982, Sec. 15)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Argentina
- EnglishPositive actions referred to in the last paragraph of Section 37 shall not comprise less guarantees than those in force at the time this Constitution was approved, and their duration shall be determined by law. (Referring to Section 37) (Second Temporary Provision)
- SpanishLas acciones positivas a que alude el art. 37 en su último párrafo no podrán ser inferiores a las vigentes al tiempo de sancionarse esta Constitución y durarán lo que la ley determine (corresponde al art. 37). (Disposición transitoria segunda)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- English…
V. The State shall promote the incorporation of women into the workforce and shall guarantee them the same remuneration as men for work of equal value, both in the public and private arena.
… (Art. 48) - Spanish…
V. El Estado promoverá la incorporación de las mujeres al trabajo y garantizará la misma remuneración que a los hombres por un trabajo de igual valor, tanto en el ámbito público como en el privado.
… (Art. 48)