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 13223 RESULTS
Customary Law
Uganda
- 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.
…
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
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
- EnglishThe exclusive executive and legislative powers of a state shall be as follows:
…
30. Traditional Authority and customary law;...
42. Customary law courts. (Schedule (B), Powers of States)
Customary Law
Vanuatu
- EnglishAll land in the Republic of Vanuatu belongs to the indigenous custom owners and their descendants. (Art. 73)
- FrenchToutes les terres situées dans le territoire de la République appartiennent aux propriétaires coutumiers indigènes et à leur descendance. (Art. 73)
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
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
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
Chad
- 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
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
- EnglishI. The rural native indigenous autonomies shall exercise the following exclusive authorities:
…
8. Exercise of rural native indigenous jurisdiction for the application of justice and the resolution of conflict through their own norms and procedures in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
… (Art. 304) - SpanishI. Las autonomías indígena originario campesinas podrán ejercer las siguientes competencias exclusivas:
…
8. Ejercicio de la jurisdicción indígena originaria campesina para la aplicación de justicia y resolución de conflictos a través de normas y procedimientos propios de acuerdo a la Constitución y la ley.
… (Art. 304)
Customary Law
Guyana
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of this article -
(a) no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect; and
(b) no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority.
(2) In this article the expression ‘discriminatory’ means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their or their parents’ or guardians’ respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, creed, age, disability, marital status, sex, gender, language, birth, social class, pregnancy, religion, conscience, belief or culture whereby persons of one such description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which other persons of the same or another such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or advantages which are not afforded to persons of another such description.
(3) Paragraph (1)(a) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision -
…
(b) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
… (Art. 149)