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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.
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Customary Law
Samoa
- English
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, customs may be taken into account in all courts under this Part. (Art. 71)
- Samoan
I le noatia ma le fai fuafua i aiaiga o lenei Faavae, o aganuu e mafai ona amanaia i faamasinoga uma i lalo o lenei Vaega. (Mataupu 71)
Customary Law
Micronesia, Federated States of
- EnglishThe traditions of the people of the Federated States of Micronesia may be protected by statute. If challenged as violative of Article IV2, protection of Micronesian tradition shall be considered a compelling social purpose warranting such governmental action. (Art. V, Sec. 2)
Customary Law
Samoa
- EnglishA Matai title shall be held in accordance with Samoan custom and usage and with the law relating to Samoan custom and usage. (Art. 100)
- SamoanO le a faaaogaina se suafa Matai e talafeagai ai ma aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina ma e tusa ai ma le tulafono, e uiga i aganuu faa-Samoa ma lo latou faaaogaina. (Mataupu 100)
Customary Law
Malawi
- English...
2. Any law that discriminates against women on the basis of gender or marital status shall be invalid and legislation shall be passed to eliminate customs and practices that discriminate against women, particularly practices such as—
a. sexual abuse, harassment and violence;
b. discrimination in work, business and public affairs; and
c. deprivation of property, including property obtained by inheritance. (Sec. 24)
Customary Law
Zambia
- English...
2. In exercising judicial authority, the courts shall be guided by the following principles:
…
d. alternative forms of dispute resolution, including traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
...
3. Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not—
a. contravene the Bill of Rights;
b. be inconsistent with other provisions of this Constitution or other written law; or
c. be repugnant to justice and morality. (Art. 118)
Customary Law
Togo
- EnglishThe Togolese State recognizes the traditional chiefdom, guardian of use and customs.
The designation and the enthronement [intronisation] of the traditional chief obeys the use and customs of the locality. (Art. 143) - FrenchL’Etat togolais reconnaît la chefferie traditionnelle, gardienne des us et coutumes.
La désignation et l’intronisation du chef traditionnel obéissent aux us et coutumes de la localité. (Art. 143)
Customary Law
Mexico
- English…
Communities composed of an indigenous people, [are] those that form a social, economic and cultural unity, living in a territory and that recognized their own authorities in accordance with their habits [usos] and customs.
…
A. This Constitution recognizes and guarantees the right of indigenous peoples and communities to self-determination and, consequently, to the autonomy to:
…
II. Apply their own normative systems in the regulation and solution of their internal conflicts, subject to the general principles of this Constitution, respecting individual guarantees, human rights and, in relevant manner, the dignity and integrity of women. The law will establish the cases and procedures of validation by the corresponding judges or courts.
III. Elect according to their traditional norms, procedures and practices, the authorities or representatives for the exercise of their own forms of internal government, guaranteeing that indigenous women and men will enjoy and will exercise their right to vote and to be voted for in conditions of equality; as well as to accede to and to hold the public offices [cargos] and [offices] of public election for those that have been elected or designated, in a framework [that] respects the federal pact, the sovereignty of the States and the autonomy of the City of Mexico. In no case may communitarian practices limit the political electoral rights of [masculine and feminine] citizens in the election of their municipal authorities.
…
VIII. Accede fully to jurisdictions of the State. To guarantee this right, in all the trials and proceedings in which they are parties, individually or collectively, their cultural customs and specifications must be taken into account respecting the precepts of this Constitution. The indigenous peoples have at all times the right to be assisted by interpreters and defenders who have knowledge of their language and culture.
… (Art. 2) - Spanish…
Son comunidades integrantes de un pueblo indígena, aquellas que formen una unidad social, económica y cultural, asentadas en un territorio y que reconocen autoridades propias de acuerdo con sus usos y costumbres.
…
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:
…
II. Aplicar sus propios sistemas normativos en la regulación y solución de sus conflictos internos, sujetándose a los principios generales de esta Constitución, respetando las garantías individuales, los derechos humanos y, de manera relevante, la dignidad e integridad de las mujeres. La ley establecerá los casos y procedimientos de validación por los jueces o tribunales correspondientes.
III. Elegir de acuerdo con sus normas, procedimientos y practices tradicionales, a las autoridades o representantes para el ejercicio de sus formas propias de gobierno interno, garantizando que las mujeres y los hombres indígenas disfrutarán y ejercerán su derecho de votar y ser votados en condiciones de igualdad; así como a acceder y desempeñar los cargos públicos y de elección popular para los que hayan sido electos o designados, en un marco que respite el pacto federal, la soberanía de los Estados y la autonomía de la Ciudad de México. En ningún caso las prácticas comunitarias podrán limitar los derechos político-electorales de los y las ciudadanas en la elección de sus autoridades municipales.
…
VIII. Acceder plenamente a la jurisdicción del Estado. Para garantizar ese derecho, en todos los juicios y procedimientos en que sean parte, individual o colectivamente, se deberán tomar en cuenta sus costumbres y especificidades culturales respetando los preceptos de esta Constitución. Los indígenas tienen en todo tiempo el derecho a ser asistidos por intérpretes y defensores que tengan conocimiento de su lengua y cultura.
… (Art. 2)
Customary Law
Malaysia
- English(1) Parliament may make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, but only as follows, that is to say:
(a) for the purpose of implementing any treaty, agreement or convention between the Federation and any other country, or any decision of an international organization of which the Federation is a member;
(b) for the purpose of promoting uniformity of the laws of two or more States; or
(c) if so requested by the Legislative Assembly of any State.
(2) No law shall be made in pursuance of paragraph (a) of Clause (1) with respect to any matters of Islamic law or the custom of the Malays or to any matters of native law or custom in the States of Sabah and Sarawak and no Bill for a law under that paragraph shall be introduced into either House of Parliament until the Government of any State concerned has been consulted.
… (Art. 76) - Malay(1) Parlimen boleh membuat undang-undang mengenai apa-apa perkara yang disebut satu persatu dalam Senarai Negeri, tetapi hanya seperti yang berikut sahaja, iaitu:
(a) bagi maksud melaksanakan apa-apa triti, perjanjian atau konvensyen antara Persekutuan dengan mana-mana negara lain, atau apa-apa keputusan sesuatu organisasi antarabangsa yang dianggotai oleh Persekutuan; atau
(b) bagi maksud menggalakkan keseragaman undang-undang antara dua Negeri atau lebih; atau
(c) jika diminta sedemikian oleh Dewan Undangan mana-mana Negeri.
(2) Tiada undang-undang boleh dibuat menurut perenggan (a) Fasal (1) mengenai apa-apa perkara mengenai hukum Syarak atau adat orang Melayu atau mengenai apa-apa perkara tentang undang-undang atau adat anak negeri di Negeri Sabah dan Sarawak dan tiada Rang Undang-Undang bagi suatu undang-undang di bawah perenggan itu boleh dibawa di dalam mana-mana satu Majlis Parlimen sehingga Kerajaan mana-mana Negeri yang berkenaan telah dirundingi.
… (Perkara 76)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English…
(2) The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level, include—
…
(h) the fostering of national unity, peace and stability, with due regard to diversity of languages, customary practices and traditions;
… (Sec. 3)
Customary Law
Colombia
- EnglishThe authorities of the indigenous peoples can exercise their jurisdictional functions within their territorial scope, in conformity with their own norms and procedures, as long as these are not contrary to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic. The law will establish the forms of coordination of this special jurisdiction with the national judicial system. (Art. 246)
- SpanishLas autoridades de los pueblos indígenas podrán ejercer funciones jurisdiccionales dentro de su ámbito territorial, de conformidad con sus propias normas y procedimientos, siempre que no sean contrarios a la Constitución y leyes de la República. La ley establecerá las formas de coordinación de esta jurisdicción especial con el sistema judicial nacional. (Art. 246)