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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.
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English1. Women have the right to full and equal protection by the law, and have the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of their gender or marital status which includes the right—
a. to be accorded the same rights as men in civil law, including equal capacity—
i. to enter into contracts;
ii. to acquire and maintain rights in property, independently or in association with others, regardless of their marital status;
iii. to acquire and retain custody, guardianship and care of children and to have an equal right in the making of decisions that affect their upbringing; and
iv. to acquire and retain citizenship and nationality.
b. on the dissolution of marriage, howsoever entered into—
i. to a fair disposition of property that is held jointly with a husband; and
ii. to fair maintenance, taking into consideration all the circumstances and, in particular, the means of the former husband and the needs of any children.
2. Any law that discriminates against women on the basis of gender or marital status shall be invalid and legislation shall be passed to eliminate customs and practices that discriminate against women, particularly practices such as—
a. sexual abuse, harassment and violence;
b. discrimination in work, business and public affairs; and
c. deprivation of property, including property obtained by inheritance. (Sec. 24)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWhereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is indispensable for freedom, justice and peace;
Whereas the said rights include the right of the individual to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, sex, religion, creed or social or economic status;
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Whereas we the people of Namibia -
…
committed to these principles, have resolved to constitute the Republic of Namibia as a sovereign, secular, democratic and unitary State securing to all our citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity,
… (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
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(2) Propagation of ethnic, regional, racial discrimination or any other form of division is punished by law. (Art. 37) - Kinyarwanda
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(2) Kwamamaza ivangura rishingiye ku isanomuzi, ku karere, ku bwoko cyangwa ku macakubiri ayo ari yo yose bihanwa n’amategeko. (Ingingo ya 37) - French
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(2) Toute propagande à caractère ethnique, régionaliste, raciste ou basée sur toute autre forme de division est punie par la loi. (Art. 37)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English1. Everyone shall be equal under the Constitution and by law.
2. No-one may be discriminated against, privileged, deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the basis of ancestry, sex, race, ethnicity, colour, disability, language, place of birth, religion, political, ideological or philosophical beliefs, level of education or economic, social or professional status. (Art. 23) - Portuguese1. Todos são iguais perante a Constituição e a lei.
2. Ninguém pode ser prejudicado, privilegiado, privado de qualquer direito ou isento de qualquer dever em razão da sua ascendência, sexo, raça, etnia, cor, deficiência, língua, local de nascimento, religião, convicções políticas, ideológicas ou filosóficas, grau de instrução, condição económica ou social ou profissão. (Art. 23)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the people of South Africa…
We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to- …
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; … (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the People of South Sudan, …
Recalling our long and heroic struggle for justice, freedom, equality and dignity in South Sudan; …
Determined to lay the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law;
Committed to establishing a decentralized democratic multi-party system of governance in which power shall be peacefully transferred and to upholding values of human dignity and equal rights and duties of men and women;
… (Preamble)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English...
We, people of Cameroon,
Declare that the human person, without distinction as to race, religion, sex or belief, possesses inalienable and sacred rights;
Affirm our attachment to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the United Nations and The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and all duly ratified international conventions relating thereto, in particular, to the following principles:
(1) all persons shall have equal rights and obligations. The State shall provide all its citizens with the conditions necessary for their development;
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(25) the State shall guarantee all citizens of either sex the rights and freedoms set forth in the Preamble of the Constitution. (Preamble) - French…
Le Peuple camerounais,
Proclame que l’être humain, sans distinction de race, de religion, de sexe, de croyance, possède des droits inaliénables et sacrés;
Affirme son attachement aux libertés fondamentales inscrites dans la déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme, la charte des Nations-Unies, la Charte africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples et toutes les conventions internationales y relatives et dûment ratifiées, notamment aux principes suivants:
(1) Tous les hommes sont égaux en droits et en devoirs. L’Etat assure à tous les citoyens les conditions nécessaires à leur développement;
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(25) L’Etat garantit à tous les citoyens de l’un et de l’autre sexes, les droits et libertés énumérés au Préambule de la Constitution. (Préambule)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe, the Togolese people, …
* we affirm our determination to cooperate in peace, amity and solidarity with all people of the world enamored of [épris] the democratic ideal, on the basis of the principles of equality, of mutual respect and of sovereignty, ... (Preamble) - FrenchNous, Peuple togolais, …
Affirmons notre détermination à coopérer dans la paix, l'amitié et la solidarité avec tous les peuples du monde épris de l'idéal démocratique, sur la base des principes d'égalité, de respect mutuel de la souveraineté ; … (Préambule)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe public powers see to the elimination of any form of discrimination concerning women and assure the protection and the promotion of their rights.
… (Art. 14) - FrenchLes pouvoirs publics veillent à l’élimination de toute forme de discrimination à l’égard de la femme et assurent la protection et la promotion de ses droits.
… (Art. 14)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWe the people of Zimbabwe, …
United in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination and oppression,
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Cherishing freedom, equality, peace, justice, tolerance, prosperity and patriotism in search of new frontiers under a common destiny,
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Resolve by the tenets of this Constitution to commit ourselves to build a united, just and prosperous nation, founded on values of transparency, equality, freedom, fairness, honesty and the dignity of hard work,
… (Preamble)