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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.
Customary Law
- English
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WHEREAS the Leaders of Samoa have declared that Samoa should be an Independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition;
… (Preamble) - Samoan
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ONA ua faaalia e Taitai o Samoa le tatau ona avea Samoa ma Malo Tutoatasi e faavaeina i luga o talitonuga faa-Kerisiano ma tu ma aganuu a Samoa;
… (Uputomua)
Customary Law
- English...
(2) The National Assembly shall not proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) that, in the opinion of the person presiding, would, if enacted, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution or affect-
(a) the designation, recognition, removal of powers of Dikgosi or Dikgosana
(b) the organization, powers or administration of customary courts;
(c) customary law, or the ascertainment or recording of customary law; or
(d) tribal organization or tribal property,
unless-
(i) a copy of the Bill has been referred to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi after it has been introduced in the National Assembly; and
(ii) a period of 30 days has elapsed from the date when the copy of the Bill was referred to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi. (Sec. 88)
Customary Law
- English…
(3) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by marriage:
(a) those who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (1) or (2) hereof and who:
(aa) in good faith marry a Namibian citizen or, prior to the coming into force of this Constitution, in good faith married a person who would have qualified for Namibian citizenship if this Constitution had been in force; and
(bb) subsequent to such marriage have ordinarily resided in Namibia as the spouse of such person for a period of not less than ten (10) years; and
(cc) apply to become citizens of Namibia;
(b) for the purposes of this Sub-Article (and without derogating from any effect that it may have for any other purposes) a marriage by customary law shall be deemed to be a marriage: provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation which defines the requirements which need to be satisfied for a marriage by customary law to be recognised as such for the purposes of this Sub-Article.
… (Art. 4)
Customary Law
- EnglishNo person may succeed to any tofi'a or any title until he has attained the age of twenty one years, save for members of the Royal Family who shall be deemed to have attained maturity at eighteen years of age. (Clause 27)
- Tongan‘E ‘ikai ha taha ‘e ngofua ke hoko ko e ‘ea ki ha tofi‘a pe ha hingoa kae ‘oua kuo kakato hono uofulu mā taha ta‘u, tuku kehe ‘a kinautolu ‘i he fāmili ‘o e Tu‘i ‘a ia kuo pau ke lau kuo nau a‘u ki he ta‘u fakalao ‘i he ta‘u ‘e hongofulu-mā-valu. (Kupu 27)
Customary Law
- EnglishAn Act of Parliament must provide for the establishment, membership and procedures of an Integrity and Ethics Committee of Chiefs, to exercise the following functions—
(a) to develop and enforce integrity and ethical conduct on the part of traditional leaders;
(b) to resolve disputes between traditional leaders;
(c) to deal with complaints against traditional leaders. (Sec. 287)
Customary Law
- 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
- EnglishParliament shall provide for the establishment of village or island courts with jurisdiction over customary and other matters and shall provide for the role of chiefs in such courts. (Art. 52)
- FrenchLe Parlement crée des tribunaux de village ou d'île compétents en matière coutumière ou autre, et définit le rôle des chefs auprès de ces tribunaux. (Art. 52)
Customary Law
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(3) In this section the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, tribe, sex, 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) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
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d. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other interests of personal law;
e. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe or customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons;
… (Sec. 27)
Customary Law
- EnglishGuatemala is formed by diverse ethnic groups among which are found the indigenous groups of Mayan descent. The State recognizes, respects, and promotes their forms of life, customs, traditions, forms of social organization, the use of the indigenous attire by men and women, [and their] languages and dialects. (Art. 66)
- SpanishGuatemala está formada por diversos grupos étnicos entre los que figuran los grupos indígenas de ascendencia maya. El Estado reconoce, respeta y promueve sus formas de vida, costumbres, tradiciones, formas de organización social, el uso del traje indígena en hombres y mujeres, idiomas y dialectos. (Art. 66)
Customary Law
- English(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
(2) Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that-
(a) those observances follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities;
(b) they are conducted on an equitable basis; and
(c) attendance at them is free and voluntary.
(3) (a) This section does not prevent legislation recognising-
(i) marriages concluded under any tradition, or a system of religious, personal or family law; or
(ii) systems of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion.
(b) Recognition in terms of paragraph (a) must be consistent with this section and the other provisions of the Constitution. (Sec. 15)