SEARCH DATABASE
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 4189 RESULTS
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Botswana
- English(1) 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.
...
(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons, attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, place of origin, political opinions, 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 which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
(4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
...
(e) 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 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.
... (Sec. 15)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Côte d’Ivoire
- English
The State and the public collectivities assure the promotion, the development and the protection of women. … (Art. 35)
- French
L’Etat et les collectivités publiques assurent la promotion, le développement et la protection de la femme. … (Art. 35)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Mauritius
- English1. Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
3. In this section, 'discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, caste, place of origin, political opinions, 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) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision –
…
aa. for a minimum number of candidates for election to local authorities to be of a particular sex, with a view to ensuring adequate representation of each sex on a local authority;
ab. for a minimum number of candidates for election to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly to be of a particular sex, with a view to ensuring adequate representation of each sex in the Rodrigues Regional Assembly;
… (Sec. 16)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Chad
- EnglishThe State and the Autonomous Collectivities create the conditions and the institutions which assure and guarantee … the promotion of gender … (Art. 40)
- Arabicتهيئ الدولة والجماعات المستقلة الظروف والمؤسسات التي تؤمن وتضمن... تعزيز المنظور الجنساني ... (المادة 40)
- FrenchL'Etat et les Collectivités Autonomes créent les conditions et les institutions qui assurent et garantissent … la promotion du genre … (Art. 40)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Cabo Verde
- EnglishThe following shall be the fundamental tasks of the State:
…
e) To promote the well-being and quality of life of the Cabo Verdean people, especially the neediest, and to remove, in a progressive fashion, economic, social, cultural and political obstacles that hinder true equality of opportunity among citizens, especially factors of discrimination against women in the family and in the society;
… (Art. 7) - PortugueseSão tarefas fundamentais do Estado:
…
e) Promover o bem estar e a qualidade de vida do povo cabo-verdiano, designadamente dos mais carenciados, e remover progressivamente os obstáculos de natureza económica, social, cultural e política que impedem a real igualdade de oportunidades entre os cidadãos, especialmente os factores de discriminação da mulher na família e na sociedade;
… (Art. 7)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
South Sudan
- English...
3. Women shall have the right to participate equally with men in public life.
4. All levels of government shall:
a. promote women participation in public life and their representation in the legislative and executive organs by at least twenty-five per cent2 as an affirmative action to redress imbalances created by history, customs, and traditions;
… (Art. 16)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Zimbabwe
- English(1) The proceedings of the Senate and the National Assembly are regulated by rules known as Standing Orders, which are made by the Houses individually or jointly on the recommendation of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
…
(4) Any committee established by or under Standing Orders must reflect, as closely as possible, the political and gender composition of Parliament or of the House to which the Standing Orders apply. (Sec. 139)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Ghana
- English…
(5) The State shall actively promote the integration of the peoples of Ghana and prohibit discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of place of origin, circumstances of birth, ethnic origin, gender or religion, creed or other beliefs.
(6) Towards the achievement of the objectives stated in clause (5) of this article, the State shall take appropriate measures to—
…
(b) achieve reasonable regional and gender balance in recruitment and appointment to public offices;
… (Art. 35)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Lesotho
- English1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4) and (5) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
...
3. In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 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 which are not accorded to persons of another such description.
4. Subsection (1) shall not apply to any law to the extent that that law makes provision—
…
e. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) may be made subject 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.
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the making of laws in pursuance of the principle of State Policy of promoting a society based on equality and justice for all the citizens of Lesotho and thereby removing any discriminatory law.
... (Sec. 18)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Eswatini
- English…(2) Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing subsection, the women of Eswatini and other marginalized groups have a right to equitable representation in Parliament and other public structures. (Sec. 84)