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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. Whereas every person in Lesotho is entitled, whatever his race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status to fundamental human rights and freedoms, that is to say, to each and all of the following—
…
n. freedom from discrimination;
o. the right to equality before the law and the equal protection of the law;
… (Sec. 4)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- 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.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of this section, no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person or authority.
(3) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed whereby persons of one such description are subject 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 far as that law makes provision-
…
(c) for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section (or of persons connected with such persons) of the law with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other like matters which is the personal law of persons of that description;
(d) whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned is subsection (3) of this section may be subject to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage that 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.
(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contraventions subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relation to sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed) to be required of any person who is appointed to or to act in any office or employment.
(6) Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to anything which is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be done by any such provision of law as is referred to in subsection (4) or subsection (5) of this section.
(7) Nothing contained in or Done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this section to the extent that the law in question makes provision whereby persons of nay such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subject to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by section 7(2) section 9(5), section 10(2), section 11(2) or paragraph (a), (b), or (h) of section (12(3), as the case may be.
(8) Nothing in subsection (2) of this section shall affect any discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any person by or under this Constitution or any other law. (Sec. 13)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishAll persons are equal in law. There shall be no distinction among the citizens of the UAE on the basis of race, nationality, faith or social status. (Art. 25)
- Arabicجميع الأفراد لدى القانون سواء ولا تمييز بين مواطني الاتحاد بسبب الأصل أو المواطن أو العقيدة الدينية أو المركز الاجتماعي. (المادّة 25)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
The citizens are equal before the law and have right to an equal protection of it, without any discrimination because of birth, of race, of gender, of opinion or of any other condition or personal or social circumstance being able to prevail. (Art. 37)
- Arabic
كل المواطنين سواسية أمام القانون، ولهم الحق في حماية متساوية. ولا يمكن أن يُتذرّع بأيّ تمييز يعود سببه إلى المولِد، أو العِرق، أو الجِنس، أو الرّأي، أو أيّ شرط أو ظرف آخر، شخصيّ أو اجتماعيّ. (المــادة 37)
- French
Les citoyens sont égaux devant la loi et ont droit à une égale protection de celle-ci, sans que puisse prévaloir aucune discrimination pour cause de naissance, de race, de sexe, d'opinion ou de toute autre condition ou circonstance personnelle ou sociale. (Art. 37)
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
- EnglishIn Guatemala[,] all [of the] human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights. The man and the woman, whatever their civil status may be, have equal opportunities and responsibilities. … (Art. 4)
- SpanishEn Guatemala todos los seres humanos son libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos. El hombre y la mujer, cualquiera que sea su estado civil, tienen iguales oportunidades y responsabilidades. … (Art. 4)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe law, federate law or rule referred to in Article 134 guarantees that women and men may equally exercise their rights and freedoms, … (Art. 11bis)
- DutchDe wet, het decreet of de in artikel 134 bedoelde regel waarborgen voor vrouwen en mannen de gelijke uitoefening van hun rechten en vrijheden, … (Art. 11bis)
- FrenchLa loi, le décret ou la règle visée à l’article 134 garantissent aux femmes et aux hommes l’égal exercice de leurs droits et libertés, ... (Art. 11bis)
- GermanDas Gesetz, das Dekret oder die in Artikel 134 erwähnte Regel gewährleistet Frauen und Männern die gleiche Ausübung ihrer Rechte und Freiheiten ... (Art. 11bis)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
The law establishes the rules concerning:
…
- the promotion of gender;
… (Art. 101) - French
La loi fixe les règles concernant:
…
- la promotion du genre;
… (Art. 101)
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;
…
Whereas we the people of Namibia -
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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
All persons are equal before the law and have right to equal protection. There will be no discrimination for reasons of birth, nationality, political belief, race, sex, language, religion, opinion, origin, economic position or social condition.
... (Art. 27) - Spanish
Todas las personas son iguales ante la ley y tienen derecho a igual protección. No habrá discriminación por motivos de nacimiento, nacionalidad, credo político, raza, sexo, idioma, religión, opinión, origen, posición económica o condición social.
... (Art. 27)