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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
Zambia
- English...
2. In exercising judicial authority, the courts shall be guided by the following principles:
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d. alternative forms of dispute resolution, including traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
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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
Nigeria
- English(1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of a customary Court of Appeal to the Court of Appeal as of right in any civil proceedings before the customary Court of Appeal with respect to any question of Customary law and such other matters as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
(2) Any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decisions of a Customary Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be –
(a) exercisable at the instance of a party thereto or, with the leave of the Customary Court of Appeal or of the Court of Appeal, at the instance of any other person having an interest in the matter;
(b) exercised in accordance with any Act of the National Assembly and rules of court for the time being in force regulating the powers, practice and procedure of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 245)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English…
(3) All laws, customs, traditions and cultural practices that infringe the rights of women conferred by this Constitution are void to the extent of the infringement. (Sec. 80)
Customary Law
Liberia
- English1. This Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of Liberia and its provisions shall have binding force and effect on all authorities and persons throughout the Republic.
2. Any laws, treaties, statutes, decrees, customs and regulations found to be inconsistent with it shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void and of no legal effect. … (Art. 2)
Customary Law
Eswatini
- English(1) There shall be a Council of Chiefs which shall be composed of twelve Chiefs drawn from the four regions of the Kingdom appointed by the iNgwenyama on a rotational basis.
(2) There shall be a Chairman of the Council who shall be appointed by the iNgwenyama and a secretary whose office shall be a public office.
(3) The Council of Chiefs shall be responsible for, among other things ...
(a) advising the King on customary issues and any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy including chieftaincy disputes;
(b) performing the function in terms of section 115; and
(c) performing such other functions as may be assigned by this Constitution or any other law.
… (Sec. 251)
Customary Law
Uganda
- English1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
2. Laws, cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or any other marginalised group to which clause (1) relates or which undermine their status, are prohibited by this Constitution.
… (Art. 32)
Customary Law
Sierra Leone
- English(1) The institution of Chieftaincy as established by customary law and usage and its non- abolition by legislation is hereby guaranteed and preserved.
(2) Without derogating from the generality of the provisions of subsection (1), no provision of law in so far as it provides for the abolition of the office of Paramount Chief as existing by customary law and usage immediately before the entry into force of this Constitution, shall have effect unless it is included in an Act of Parliament and the provisions of Section 108 shall apply in relation to the Bill for such an Act as they apply in relation to the Bill for an Act of Parliament that alters any of the provisions of this Constitution that are referred to in subsection (3) of that section.
(3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with, or in contravention of, the provisions of subsection (1) to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the determination, in accordance with appropriate customary law and usage, of the validity of the nomination, election, unseating or replacement of any Paramount Chief, or the question of restraining in any way the exercise of any rights, duties, privileges or functions conferred upon, or enjoyed by him, by virtue of his office or the installation or deposition of a person as a Paramount Chief.
(4) A Paramount Chief may be removed from office by the President for any gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office if after a public inquiry conducted under the Chairmanship of a Judge of the High Court or a Justice of Appeal or a Justice of the Supreme Court, the Commission of Inquiry makes an adverse finding against the Paramount Chief, and the President is of the opinion that it is in the public interest that the Paramount Chief should be removed.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and in furtherance of the provisions of this section, Parliament shall make laws for the qualifications, election, powers, functions, removal and other matters connected with Chieftaincy. (Sec. 72)
Customary Law
Rwanda
- English…
Unwritten customary law remains applicable provided it has not been replaced by written law, is not inconsistent with the Constitution, laws, and orders, and neither violates human rights nor prejudices public security or good morals. (Art. 176) - Kinyarwanda…
Amategeko gakondo atanditse akomeza gukurikizwa gusa iyo atasimbuwe n’amategeko yanditse kandi akaba atanyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga, amategeko, n'amateka cyangwa ngo abe abangamiye uburenganzira bwa Muntu, ituze rusange rya rubanda cyangwa imyitwarire iboneye. (Ingingo ya 176) - French…
La coutume ne demeure applicable que pour autant qu’elle n’ait pas été remplacée par une loi et qu’elle n’ait rien de contraire à la Constitution, aux lois et aux arrêtés ou ne porte pas atteinte aux droits de la personne, à l’ordre public et aux bonnes mœurs. (Art. 176)
Customary Law
Liberia
- English...
b. There shall be elections of Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs by the registered voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years. They may be re-elected and may be removed only by the President for proved misconduct. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for their qualifications as may be required. (Art. 56)
Customary Law
South Sudan
- English…
4. All levels of government shall:
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b. enact laws to combat harmful customs and traditions which undermine the dignity and status of women;
… (Art. 16)