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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.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4), (5) and (7) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
2. Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, 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, place of origin, political opinions or affiliations, colour, creed, or sex 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) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as the law makes provision-
…
c. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section 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.
5. Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to qualifications (not being qualifications specifically relating to race, place of origin, political opinions or affiliations, colour, creed or sex) for service as a public officer or as a member of a disciplined force or for the service of a local government authority or a body corporate established by any law for public purposes.
6. Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything that is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or (5) of this section.
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 that law in question makes provision whereby persons of any such description as in mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (3) of section 8, subsection (2) of section 10, subsection (4) of section 11, subsection (4) of section 12 or subsection (2) of section 13, as the case may be.
8. Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 14)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
(1) All citizens shall be equal before law. No one shall be denied the equal protection of law.
(2) No discrimination shall be made in the application of general laws on grounds of origin, religion, race, caste, tribe, sex, physical condition, disability, condition of health, marital status, pregnancy, economic condition, language or region, ideological conviction or on similar other grounds.
(3) The State shall not discriminate among citizens on grounds of origin, religion, race, caste, tribe, sex, economic condition, language, region, ideological conviction or on similar other grounds.
Provided that nothing shall be deemed to prevent the making of special provisions by law for the protection, empowerment or development of the citizens including the socially or culturally backward women, Dalit, indigenous people, indigenous nationalities (Aadibasi Janajati), Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim, oppressed class, Pichhada class, minorities, the marginalized, farmers, labours, youths, children, senior citizens, gender and sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, pregnant persons, incapacitated or helpless, backward region and indigent Khas Arya.
… (Art. 18) - Nepali
(१) सबै नागरिक कानूनको दृष्टिमा समान हुनेछन् । कसैलाई पनि कानूनको समान संरक्षणबाट वञ्चित गरिने छैन ।
(२) सामान्य कानूनको प्रयोगमा उत्पत्ति, धर्म, वर्ण, जात, जाति, लिंग, शारीरिक अवस्था, अपांगता, स्वास्थ्य स्थिति, वैवाहिक स्थिति, गर्भावस्था, आर्थिक अवस्था, भाषा वा क्षेत्र, वैचारिक आस्था वा यस्तै अन्य कुनै आधारमा भेदभाव गरिने छैन ।
(३) राज्यले नागरिकहरूका बीच उत्पत्ति, धर्म, वर्ण, जात, जाति, लिंग,आर्थिक अवस्था, भाषा, क्षेत्र, वैचारिक आस्था वा यस्तै अन्य कुनै आधारमा भेदभाव गर्ने छैन ।
तर सामाजिक वा सांस्कृतिक दृष्टिले पिछडिएका महिला, दलित, आदिवासी, आदिवासी जनजाति, मधेशी, थारू, मुस्लिम, उत्पीडित वर्ग, पिछडा वर्ग, अल्पसंख्यक, सीमान्तीकृत, किसान, श्रमिक, युवा, बालबालिका, ज्येष्ठ नागरिक, लैंगिक तथा यौनिक अल्पसंख्यक, अपांगता भएका व्यक्ति, गर्भावस्थाका व्यक्ति, अशक्त वा असहाय, पिछडिएको क्षेत्र र आर्थिक रूपले विपन्न खस आर्य लगायत नागरिकको संरक्षण, सशक्तीकरण वा विकासका लागि कानून बमोजिम विशेष व्यवस्था गर्न रोक लगाएको मानिने छैन ।
... (धारा १८)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishReserving to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Templars, Hospitallers, Earls, Barons, and all Persons, as well Spiritual as Temporal, all their free Liberties and free Customs, which they have had in time passed. And all these Customs and Liberties aforesaid, which We have granted to be holden within this our Realm, as much as appertaineth to Us and our Heirs, we shall observe; and all Men of this our Realm, as well Spiritual as Temporal, as much as in them is, shall observe the same against all Persons, in like wise.
… (Magna Carta, Closing Text: General Saving. Observance of these Liberties. Subsidy, in respect of this Charter and Charter of the Forest)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English…
The Gabonese Republic assures the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, of race, of sex, of opinion or of religion.
… (Art. 2) - French…
La République gabonaise assure l’égalité de tous les citoyens devant la loi, sans distinction d’origine, de race, de sexe, d’opinion ou de religion.
… (Art. 2)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
We, the representatives of the Brazilian People, convened in the National Constituent Assembly to institute a democratic state for the purpose of ensuring the exercise of social and individual rights, liberty, security, well-being, development, equality and justice as supreme values of a fraternal, pluralist and unprejudiced society, founded on social harmony and committed, in the internal and inter- national orders, to the peaceful settlement of disputes, promulgate, under the protection of God, this Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil. (Preamble)
- Portuguese
Nós, representantes do povo brasileiro, reunidos em Assembléia Nacional Constituinte para instituir um Estado Democrático, destinado a assegurar o exercício dos direitos sociais e individuais, a liberdade, a segurança, o bem-estar, o desenvolvimento, a igualdade e a justiça como valores supremos de uma sociedade fraterna, pluralista e sem preconceitos, fundada na harmonia social e comprometida, na ordem interna e internacional, com a solução pacífica das controvérsias, promulgamos, sob a proteção de Deus, a seguinte CONSTITUIÇÃO DA REPÚBLICA FEDERATIVA DO BRASIL. (PREÂMBULO)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. (Art. II, Sec. 14)
- FilipinoKinikilala ang Estado ang tungkulin ng kababaihan sa pagbuo ng bansa at dapat seguruhin ang saligang pagkakapantay-pantay ng kababaihan at kalalakihan. (Art. II, Seksyon 14)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
…
(5) In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) words importing the masculine gender shall be taken to include females;
… (Art. 81)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the people of Kenya - …
RECOGNISING the aspirations of all Kenyans for a government based on the essential values of human rights, equality, freedom, democracy, social justice and the rule of law:
… (Preamble) - SwahiliSisi, wananchi wa Kenya - …
KWA KUTAMBUA matamanio ya Wakenya wote kuwa na serikali iliyojengwa katika tunu muhimu za haki za binadamu, usawa, uhuru, demokrasia, haki ya kijamii na utawala wa sheria:
... (Utangulizi)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe State creates the conditions necessary to guarantee the equality of its citizens. It educates all people from the earliest age possible in the respect of this principle.
The State effectuates this right with the implementation of public laws and policies to encourage social inclusion and the safeguard of the rights of people whose condition requires it. (Art. 44) - SpanishEl Estado crea las condiciones para garantizar la igualdad. Educa a las personas desde la más temprana edad en el respeto a este principio.
El Estado hace efectivo este derecho con la implementación de políticas públicas y leyes para potenciar la inclusión social y la salvaguarda de los derechos de las personas cuya condición lo requieran. (Art. 44)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishHuman dignity, rights, liberties and equality of the people shall be protected.
The Thai people shall enjoy equal protection under the Constitution. (Sec. 4) - Thaiศักดิ์ศรีความเป็นมนุษย์ สิทธิ เสรีภาพ และความเสมอภาคของบุคคลย่อมได้รับความคุ้มครอง
ปวงชนชาวไทยย่อมได้รับความคุ้มครองตามรัฐธรรมนูญเสมอกัน (มาตรา ๔)