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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.
Customary Law
- English1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies.
2. In any community, where the issue of traditional or cultural leader has not been resolved, the issue shall be resolved by the community concerned using a method prescribed by Parliament.
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4. The allegiance and privileges accorded to a traditional leader or a cultural leader by virtue of that office shall not be regarded as a discriminatory practice prohibited under article 21 of this Constitution; but any custom, practice, usage or tradition relating to a traditional leader or cultural leader which detracts from the rights of any person as guaranteed by this Constitution, shall be taken to be prohibited under that article.
5. For the avoidance of doubt, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall be taken to exist in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
6. For the purposes of this article, "traditional leader or cultural leader" means a king or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader. (Art. 246)
Customary Law
- 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
- EnglishThe traditional authorities shall be the entities which personify and exercise power within the respective political and community organisations, in accordance with the values and norms of customary law and respecting the Constitution and the law. (Art. 224)
- PortugueseAs autoridades tradicionais são entidades que personificam e exercem o poder no seio da respectiva organização político-comunitária tradicional, de acordo com os valores e normas consuetudinários e no respeito pela Constituição e pela lei. (Art. 224)
Customary Law
- English
(1) In exercising his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter11 in respect of appointments to the offices of Justices of the Supreme court and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the President shall have regard to the need to ensure that there are among the holders of such offices persons learned in Islamic personal law and persons learned in Customary law.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
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(b) a person shall be deemed to be learned in Customary law if he is a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of a Justice of the Supreme Court or not less than twelve years in the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has in either case and in the opinion of the National Judicial Council considerable knowledge of and experience in the practice of Customary law. (Sec. 288)
Customary Law
- EnglishEvery Togolese citizen has the right to circulate freely and to establish themselves in the national territory in any place [point] of their choice within the conditions defined by the law or local custom. … (Art. 22)
- FrenchTout citoyen togolais a le droit de circuler librement et de s'établir sur le territoire national en tout point de son choix dans les conditions définies par la loi ou la coutume locale. … (Art. 22)
Customary Law
- English(1) There shall be a Ntlo ya Dikgosi for Botswana which shall consist of not less than 33 nor more than 35 Members which shall be constituted as follows-
(a) one person from each of the following areas, which person for the time being performs the functions of the office of Kgosi in respect of such areas-
(i) Barolong Farms in the Southern District,
(ii) Chobe in the North West District,
(iii) Ga Malete in the South East District,
(iv) Ga Mmangwato in the Central District,
(v) Ghanzi District,
(vi) Goo Tawana in the North West District,
(vii) Kgalagadi District,
(viii) Kgatleng District,
(ix) Kweneng District,
(x) Ngwaketse in the Southern District,
(xi) North East District, and
(xii) Tlokweng in the South East District;
(b) five persons who shall be appointed by the President; and
(c) such number of persons, not being more than 20, as may be selected under section 78(4)(c) of this Constitution.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a), the number of persons referred to in that subsection may, by virtue of section 78 (5), be less than 12, but not less than 10. (Sec. 77)
Customary Law
- English(1) The judiciary of Zimbabwe consists of—
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(f) persons presiding over magistrates courts, customary law courts and other courts established by or under an Act of Parliament.
… (Sec. 163)
Customary Law
- English…
(4) Female circumcision is a cruel and degrading customary practice, and is tantamount to torture. The circumcision of girls is prohibited.
… (Art. 15) - Somali…
(4) Gudniinka gabdhaha waa caado naxariis-darro iyo xaqiraad u dhiganta jirdil. Gudniinka gabdhaha waa reeban yahay.
… (Qodobka 15aad.)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe customary and traditional rules governing the matrimonial regimes and inheritance may only be applicable with the consent of the parties concerned.
In default of consent, the national law alone is applicable.
It is the same in case of conflict between two [2] or more customary rules. (Art. 162) - Arabicلا يمكن تطبيق القواعد العرفية والتقليدية التي تحكم أنظمة الزواج والإرث إلا بموافقة الأطراف المعنية.
في غياب الموافقة، يكون القانون الوطني الوحيد الواجب تطبيقه.
يطبق القانون نفسه في حالة وجود تعارض بين قاعدتين [2] عرفيتين أو أكثر. (المادة 162) - FrenchLes règles coutumières et traditionnelles régissant les régimes matrimoniaux et les successions ne peuvent s'appliquer qu'avec le consentement des parties concernées.
A défaut de consentement, la loi nationale est seule applicable.
Il en est de même en cas de conflit entre deux (2) ou plusieurs règles coutumières. (Art. 162)
Customary Law
- English…
(2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status.
(3) For the purposes of this article, “discriminate” means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description are not made subject or are granted privileges or advantages which are not granted to persons of another description.
(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are reasonably necessary to provide—
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(b) for matters relating to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
… (Art. 17)