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.
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 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-
…
(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; or
(d) 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 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.
(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subsection (1) of this section to the extent that it makes provision with respect to standards or qualifications (not being standards or qualifications specifically relating 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 any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) of this section may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and freedoms guaranteed by sections 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by section 9(2), paragraph (a), (b) or (h) of section 10(3), section 11(5), section 12(2) or section 13(2), as the case may be.
(8) Nothing contained 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. 16)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English(1) Spain is hereby established as a social and democratic State, subject to the rule of law, which advocates freedom, justice, equality and political pluralism as highest values of its legal system.
… (Sec. 1) - Spanish1. España se constituye en un Estado social y democrático de Derecho, que propugna como valores superiores de su ordenamiento jurídico la libertad, la justicia, la igualdad y el pluralismo político.
… (Art. 1)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English(1) The State shall endeavour to secure and protect a social order founded on the ideals and principles of freedom, equality, justice, probity and accountability as enshrined in Chapter 5 of this Constitution; and in particular, the State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that every citizen has equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law.
… (Art. 37)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
(1) The political objective of the State shall be to establish a public welfare system of governance, by establishing a just system in all aspects of national life through the rule of law, values and norms of fundamental rights and human rights, gender equality, proportional inclusion, participation and social justice, while at the same time protecting the life, property, equality and liberties of the people, in keeping with the vitality of freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Nepal; and to consolidate the federal democratic republican system of governance in order to ensure an atmosphere conducive to the enjoyment of fruits of democracy, while at the same time maintaining the relations between the Federal Units on the basis of cooperative federalism and incorporating the principle of proportional participation in the system of governance on the basis of local autonomy and decentralization.
(2) The social and cultural objective of the State shall be to build a civilized and egalitarian society by eliminating all forms of discrimination, exploitation and injustice based on the grounds of religion, culture, tradition, usage, custom, practice or on any other similar grounds; to develop social, cultural values founded on national pride, democracy, pro-people, respect of labour, entrepreneurship, discipline, dignity and harmony; and to consolidate the national unity by maintaining social cohesion, solidarity and harmony, while recognizing cultural diversity.
… (Art. 50) - Nepali
(१) नेपालको स्वतन्त्रता, सार्वभौमसत्ता, भौगोलिक अखण्डता र स्वाधीनतालाई सर्वोपरि राख्दै नागरिकको जीउ, धन, समानता र स्वतन्त्रताको संरक्षण गरी कानूनको शासन, मौलिक हक तथा मानव अधिकारका मूल्य र मान्यता, लैंगिक समानता, समानुपातिक समावेशीकरण, सहभागिता र सामाजिक न्यायको माध्यमबाट राष्ट्रिय जीवनका सबै क्षेत्रमा न्यायपूर्ण व्यवस्था कायम गर्दै लोक कल्याणकारी राज्यव्यवस्थाको स्थापना गर्ने तथा परस्पर सहयोगमा आधारित संघीयताका आधारमा संघीय इकाइहरू बीचको सम्बन्ध सञ्चालन गर्दै स्थानीय स्वायत्तता र विकेन्द्रीकरणको आधारमा शासन व्यवस्थामा समानुपातिक सिद्धान्तलाई आत्मसात् गर्दै लोकतान्त्रिक अधिकारको उपभोग गर्न पाउने अवस्था सुनिश्चित गर्न संघीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्रात्मक व्यवस्था सुदृढ गर्ने राज्यको राजनीतिक उद्देश्य हुनेछ ।
(२) धर्म, संस्कृति, संस्कार, प्रथा, परम्परा, प्रचलन वा अन्य कुनै पनि आधारमा हुने सबै प्रकारका विभेद, शोषण र अन्यायको अन्त्य गरी सभ्य र समतामूलक समाजको निर्माण गर्ने एवं राष्ट्रिय गौरव, लोकतन्त्र, जनपक्षीयता, श्रमको सम्मान, उद्यमशीलता, अनुशासन, मर्यादा र सहिष्णुतामा आधारित सामाजिक सांस्कृतिक मूल्यहरूको विकास गर्ने तथा सांस्कृतिक विविधताको सम्मान गर्दै सामाजिक सद्भाव, ऐक्यबद्धता र सामञ्जस्य कायम गरी राष्ट्रिय एकता सुदृढ गर्ने राज्यको सामाजिक र सांस्कृतिक उद्देश्य हुनेछ ।
... (धारा ५०)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishWomen and men have equal rights and opportunities. Women may not be subjected to any class of discrimination. … (Art. 43)
- SpanishLa mujer y el hombre tienen iguales derechos y oportunidades. La mujer no podrá ser sometida a ninguna clase de discriminación. … (Art. 43)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English(1) A public authority shall in carrying out its functions relating to Northern Ireland have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity—
(a) between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;
(b) between men and women generally;
… (Northern Ireland Act 1998, Sec. 75)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English… In the hope of seeking a society of citizenship, justice, equality, well-being, progress and prosperity where there is no place for injustice, tyranny, despotism, exploitation or dictatorship. The interim National Transitional Council has decided to promulgate this Constitutional Declaration in order to be the basis of governance in the transitional stage until a permanent Constitution is ratified in a popular referendum. (Preamble)
- Arabic... وانطلاقاً نحو مُجتمع المواطنة والعدالة والمُساواة والازدهار والتّقدم والرخاء، الذي لا مكان فيه للظّلم والاستبداد والطّغيان والاستغـلال وحُكم الفرد، وإلى أن يتمّ التّصديق على الدستور الدّائم في استفتاء شعبي عام، فقد رأي المجلس الوطني الانتقالي المؤقت أن يصدر هذا الإعلان الدستوري، ليكون أساساً للحُكم في المرحلة الانتقالية. (الدّيباجة)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe Qatari society is based on the values of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality, and high morals. (Art. 18)
- Arabicيقوم المجتمع القطري على دعامات العدل، والإحسان، والحرّية، والمساواة، ومكارم الأخلاق. (المادّة 18)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- EnglishThe exercise of rights shall be governed by the following principles:
…
2. All persons are equal and shall enjoy the same rights, duties and opportunities.
No one shall be discriminated against for reasons of ethnic belonging, place of birth, age, sex, gender identity, cultural identity, civil status, language, religion, ideology, political affiliation, legal record, socio-economic condition, migratory status, sexual orientation, health status, HIV carrier, disability, physical difference or any other distinguishing feature, whether personal or collective, temporary or permanent, which might be aimed at or result in the diminishment or annulment of recognition, enjoyment or exercise of rights. All forms of discrimination are punishable by law.
The State shall adopt affirmative action measures that promote real equality for the benefit of the rights-bearers who are in a situation of inequality.
… (Art. 11) - SpanishEI ejercicio de los derechos se regirá por los siguientes principios:
…
2. Todas las personas son iguales y gozaran de los mismos derechos, deberes y oportunidades.
Nadie podrá ser discriminado por razones de etnia, lugar de nacimiento, edad, sexo, identidad de género, identidad cultural, estado civil, idioma, religión, ideología, filiación política, pasado judicial, condición socio-económica, condición migratoria, orientación sexual, estado de salud, portar VIH, discapacidad, diferencia física; ni por cualquier otra distinción, personal o colectiva, temporal o permanente, que tenga por objeto o resultado menoscabar o anular el reconocimiento, goce o ejercicio de los derechos. La ley sancionará toda forma de discriminación.
El Estado adoptará medidas de acción afirmativa que promuevan la igualdad real en favor de los titulares de derechos que se encuentren en situación de desigualdad.
… (Art. 11)
Equality and Non-Discrimination
- English
(1) The primary functions of the Commission are—
…
(c) to promote racial equality and cultural diversity; and
…
(2) The Commission has, in order to carry out its primary functions under subsection (1), the following functions:
…
(ca) to make public statements promoting an understanding of, and compliance with, this Act or the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (for example, statements promoting understanding of measures to ensure equality, of indirect discrimination, or of institutions and procedures under this Act for dealing with complaints of unlawful discrimination):
…
(l) to make public statements in relation to any group of persons in, or who may be coming to, New Zealand who are or may be subject to hostility, or who have been or may be brought into contempt, on the basis that that group consists of persons against whom discrimination is unlawful under this Act:
… (Human Rights Act 1993, Sec. 5)