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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
Papua New Guinea
- English(1) Subject to Subsections (2) and (3), custom is adopted, and shall be applied and enforced, as part of the underlying law.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of any custom that is, and to the extent that it is, inconsistent with a Constitutional Law or a statute, or repugnant to the general principles of humanity.
(3) An Act of the Parliament may—
(a) provide for the proof and pleading of custom for any purpose; and
(b) regulate the manner in which, or the purposes for which, custom may be recognized, applied or enforced; and
(c) provide for the resolution of conflicts of custom. (Schedule 2.1)
Customary Law
Malawi
- English1. In the interpretation of all laws and in the resolution of political disputes the provisions of this Constitution shall be regarded as the supreme arbiter and ultimate source of authority.
2. In the application and formulation of any Act of Parliament and in the application and development of the common law and customary law, the relevant organs of State shall have due regard to the principles and provisions of this Constitution. (Sec. 10)
Customary Law
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- EnglishWithout prejudice to the other provisions of this Constitution, the following matters are of the concurrent competence of the Central Power and the Provinces:
…
2. the civil and customary rights;
… (Art. 203) - FrenchSans préjudice des autres dispositions de la présente Constitution, les matières suivantes sont de la compétence concurrente du Pouvoir central et des provinces:
…
2. les droits civils et coutumiers;
… (Art. 203)
Customary Law
Sudan
- EnglishAll ethnic and cultural groups shall have the right to enjoy their own culture and develop it freely. The members of such groups shall have the right to exercise their beliefs, use their languages, observe their religions or customs, and raise their children in the framework of such cultures and customs. (Art. 65)
- Arabicلكل المجموعات العرقية والثقافية الحق في أن تنعم بثقافتها الخاصة وتطورها بحرية، وللمنتميين لهذة المجموعات الحق في أن يمارسوا معتقداتهم ويستخدموا لغاتهم ويراعوا أديانهم واعرافهم وينشئوا اطفالهم في إطار تلك الثقافات والاعراف. (الماده 66)
Customary Law
Ethiopia
- English…
5. Pursuant to sub-Article 5 of Article 34 the House of Peoples’ Representatives and State Councils can establish or give official recognition to religious and customary courts. Religious and customary courts that had state recognition and functioned prior to the adoption of the Constitution shall be organized on the basis of recognition accorded to them by this Constitution. (Art. 78) - Amharic…
5. የህዝብ ተወካዬች ምክር ቤትና የክልል ምክር ቤቶች በኣንቀጽ 34 ንኡስ ኣንቀጽ 5 መሰረት የሃማኖትና የባሕል ፍርድ ቤቶችን ሊያቋቁሙ ወይም እውቅና ሊሰጡ ይችላሉ፡፡ ይህ ሕገ መንግሥት ከመጽደቁ በፊት በመንግሥት እውቅና አግኝተው ሲሰራባቸው የነበሩ የሃይማኖቶችና የባሕል ፍርድ ቤቶች በዚህ ሕገ መንግሥት መሰረት እውቅና አግኝተው ይደራጃሉ፡፡ (አንቀጽ 78)
Customary Law
Nigeria
- English…
61. The formation, annulment and dissolution of marriages other than marriages under Islamic law and Customary law including matrimonial causes relating thereto.
… (Second Schedule – Legislative Powers, Part I – Exclusive Legislative List)
Customary Law
Gambia
- EnglishIn addition to this Constitution, the laws of The Gambia consist of—
…
(e) customary law so far as concerns members of the communities to which it applies;
… (Sec. 7)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English(1) The National Council of Chiefs and, within its province, a provincial assembly of Chiefs have the following functions—
(a) to protect, promote and develop Zimbabwe’s culture and traditions;
(b) to represent the views of traditional leaders and to maintain the integrity and status of traditional institutions;
(c) to protect, promote and advance the interests of traditional leaders;
(d) to consider representations and complaints made to it by traditional leaders;
(e) to define and enforce correct and ethical conduct on the part of traditional leaders and to develop their capacity for leadership;
(f) to facilitate the settlement of disputes between and concerning traditional leaders;
(g) to perform any other functions that may be conferred or imposed on it by an Act of Parliament.
(2) An Act of Parliament must ensure that—
(a) the National Council of Chiefs and all provincial assemblies of Chiefs are able to carry out their functions independently and efficiently; and
(b) persons employed by the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs carry out their duties conscientiously and impartially. (Sec. 286)
Customary Law
Lesotho
- English1. In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires:
• "Chief" does not include the King but includes Principal Chief, and Headman and any other chief whose office is recognised by section 103(1) of this Constitution, and references to a Chief are references to the person who, under the law for the time being in force in that behalf, is recognised as entitled to exercise the functions of the office of that Chief;
…
• "customary law" means the customary law of Lesotho for the time being in force subject to any modification or other provision made in respect thereof by any Act of Parliament;
…
• "law includes--
...
ii. the customary law of Lesotho and any other unwritten rule of law, …
• "Principal Chief" means a chief whose office is among those set out in Schedule 2 to this Constitution;
… (Sec. 154)
Customary Law
Tuvalu
- English(1) Freedom based on law consists of the least restriction on the activities of individuals consistent with the public welfare and the maintenance and development of Tuvalu and Tuvaluan society in accordance with this Constitution and, in particular, in accordance with the Principles set out in the Preamble.
(2) Everyone has the right to freedom based on law, and accordingly, subject to this Constitution -
(a) everyone has the legal right to do anything that —
(i) does not injure others or interfere with the rights and freedoms of others; and
(ii) is not prohibited by law; and
(b) no-one may be -
(i) legally obliged to do anything that is not required by law; or
(ii) prevented by law from doing anything that complies with the provisions of paragraph (a).
(3) This section is not intended to deny the existence, nature or effect of cultural, social, civic, family or religious obligations, or other obligations of a nonlegal nature, or to prevent such obligations being given effect by law if, and so far as, it may be thought appropriate to do so. (Sec. 10)