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 4189 RESULTS
Citizenship and Nationality
Burundi
- EnglishNo one may be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality, or of the right to change it. (Art. 34)
- KirundiNta muntu n’umwe ashobora kwakwa ubwenegihugu, canke kwakwa ububasha bwo kubuhindura. (Ingingo ya 34)
- FrenchNul ne peut être arbitrairement privé de sa nationalité, ni du droit d’en changer. (Art. 34)
Citizenship and Nationality
Namibia
- English(1) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by birth:
(a) those born in Namibia before the date of Independence whose fathers or mothers would have been Namibian citizens at the time of the birth of such persons, if this Constitution had been in force at that time; and
(b) those born in Namibia before the date of Independence, who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (a) hereof, and whose fathers or mothers were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the time of the birth of such persons: provided that their fathers or mothers were not then persons:
(aa) who were enjoying diplomatic immunity in Namibia under any law relating to diplomatic privileges; or
(bb) who were career representatives of another country; or
(cc) who were members of any police, military or security unit seconded for service within Namibia by the Government of another country: provided further that this Sub-Article shall not apply to persons claiming citizenship of Namibia by birth if such persons were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the date of Independence and had been so resident for a continuous period of not less than five (5) years prior to such date, or if the fathers or mothers of such persons claiming citizenship were ordinarily resident in Namibia at the date of the birth of such persons and had been so resident for a continuous period of not less than five (5) years prior to such date;
(c) those born in Namibia after the date of Independence whose fathers or mothers are Namibian citizens at the time of the birth of such persons;
(d) those born in Namibia after the date of Independence who do not qualify for citizenship under Sub-Article (c) hereof, and whose fathers or mothers are ordinarily resident in Namibia at the time of the birth of such persons: provided that their fathers or mothers are not then persons:
(aa) enjoying diplomatic immunity in Namibia under any law relating to diplomatic privileges; or
(bb) who are career representatives of another country; or
(cc) who are members of any police, military or security unit seconded for service within Namibia by the Government of another country; or
(dd) who are illegal immigrants:
provided further that Sub-Articles (aa), (bb), (cc) and (dd) hereof will not apply to children who would otherwise be stateless.
(2) The following persons shall be citizens of Namibia by descent:
(a) those who are not Namibian citizens under Sub-Article (1) hereof and whose fathers or mothers at the time of the birth of such persons are citizens of Namibia or whose fathers or mothers would have qualified for Namibian citizenship by birth under Sub-Article (1) hereof, if this Constitution had been in force at that time; and
(b) who comply with such requirements as to registration of citizenship as may be required by Act of Parliament: provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation which requires the birth of such persons born after the date of Independence to be registered within a specific time either in Namibia or at an embassy, consulate or office of a trade representative of the Government of Namibia.
(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.
…
(5) Citizenship by naturalisation may be applied for by persons who are not Namibian citizens
…
(7) Namibian citizenship shall be lost by persons who renounce their Namibian citizenship by voluntarily signing a formal declaration to that effect.
(8) Nothing in this Constitution shall preclude Parliament from enacting legislation providing for the loss of Namibian citizenship by persons who, after the date of Independence:
(a) have acquired the citizenship of any other country by any voluntary act; or
(b) have served or volunteered to serve in the armed or security forces of any other country without the written permission of the Namibian Government; or
(c) have taken up permanent residence in any other country and have absented themselves thereafter from Namibia for a period in excess of two (2) years without the written permission of the Namibian Government:
provided that no person who is a citizen of Namibia by birth or descent may be deprived of Namibian citizenship by such legislation.
(9) Parliament shall be entitled to make further laws not inconsistent with this Constitution regulating the acquisition or loss of Namibian citizenship. (Art. 4)
Citizenship and Nationality
Mozambique
- English1. Persons born in Mozambique after the proclamation of independence are Mozambican nationals.
2. This rule shall not apply to children born of a foreign father and a foreign mother, when either of them is in Mozambique in the employ of the government of his or her country.
… (Art. 24) - Portuguese1. São moçambicanos os cidadãos nascidos em Moçambique após a proclamação da independência.
2. Exceptuam-se os filhos de pai e mãe estrangeiros quando qualquer deles se encontre em Moçambique ao serviço do Estado a que pertence.
… (Art. 24)
Citizenship and Nationality
Zimbabwe
- English(1) Persons are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if they were born in Zimbabwe and, when they were born—
(a) either their mother or their father was a Zimbabwean citizen; or
(b) any of their grandparents was a Zimbabwean citizen by birth or descent.
(2) Persons born outside Zimbabwe are Zimbabwean citizens by birth if, when they were born, either of their parents was a Zimbabwean citizen and—
(a) ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe; or
(b) working outside Zimbabwe for the State or an international organisation.
(3) A child found in Zimbabwe who is, or appears to be, less than fifteen years of age, and whose nationality and parents are not known, is presumed to be a Zimbabwean citizen by birth. (Sec. 36)
Citizenship and Nationality
Eswatini
- EnglishA person born, whether before or after the commencement of this Constitution and whether in or outside of Eswatini, is a citizen by descent if by birth that person is a descendant. (Sec. 41)
Citizenship and Nationality
Zambia
- English1. A citizen—
a. may renounce citizenship as prescribed; or
b. shall be deprived of citizenship if that citizenship was acquired by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of a material fact.
2. The process and procedures to be followed by the Citizenship Board of Zambia when granting or depriving a person of citizenship shall be prescribed. (Art. 40)
Citizenship and Nationality
Uganda
- English1. Every person born in Uganda-
a. at the time of whose birth-
i. neither of his or her parents and none of his or her grandparents had diplomatic status in Uganda; and
ii. neither of his or her parents and none of his or her grandparents was a refugee in Uganda; and
b. who has lived continuously in Uganda since the ninth day of October, 1962, shall, on application, be entitled to be registered as a citizen of Uganda.
2. The following persons shall, upon application, be registered as citizens of Uganda-
a. every person married to a Uganda citizen upon proof of a legal and subsisting marriage of three years or such other period prescribed by Parliament;
b. every person who has legally and voluntarily migrated to and has been living in Uganda for at least ten years or such other period prescribed by Parliament;
c. every person who, on the commencement of this Constitution, has lived in Uganda for at least twenty years.
3. Paragraph (a) of clause (2) of this article applies also to a person who was married to a citizen of Uganda who, but for his or her death, would have continued to be a citizen of Uganda under this Constitution.
4. Where a person has been registered as a citizen of Uganda under paragraph (a) of clause (2) of this article and the marriage by virtue of which that person was registered is-
a. annulled or otherwise declared void by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction; or
b. dissolved,
that person shall, unless he or she renounces that citizenship, continue to be a citizen of Uganda. (Art. 12)
Citizenship and Nationality
Sudan
- EnglishThe essential issues for peace negotiations include the following:
…
e. Equal citizenship;
… (Art 68) - Arabicتشمل القضاية الجوهرية لمفاوضات السلام الأتي:
....د. المواطنة المتساوية
(الماده 69)
Citizenship and Nationality
Nigeria
- English(1) The president may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Chapter,2 prescribing all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Chapter, and for granting special immigrant status with full residential rights to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens of Nigeria who do not wish to acquire Nigerian citizenship.
… (Sec. 32)
Citizenship and Nationality
Kenya
- English(1) A person is a citizen by birth if on the day of the person’s birth, whether or not the person is born in Kenya, either the mother or father of the person is a citizen.
(2) Clause (1) applies equally to a person born before the effective date, whether or not the person was born in Kenya, if either the mother or father of the person is or was a citizen.
(3) Parliament may enact legislation limiting the effect of clauses (1) and (2) on the descendents of Kenyan citizens who are born outside Kenya.
(4) A child found in Kenya who is, or appears to be, less than eight years of age, and whose nationality and parents are not known, is presumed to be a citizen by birth.
(5) A person who is a Kenyan citizen by birth and who has ceased to be a Kenyan citizen because the person acquired citizenship of another country, is entitled on application to regain Kenyan citizenship. (Art. 14) - Swahili(1) Mtu ni raia kwa kuzaliwa ikiwa siku ya kuzaliwa mtu huyo, iwe mtu huyo amezaliwa Kenya au la, mama au baba wa mtu huyo ni raia.
(2) Ibara ya (1) inatumika sawa kwa mtu aliyezaliwa kabla ya tarehe ya utekelezaji, iwe mtu huyo alizaliwa Kenya au la, ikiwa mama au baba wa mtu huyo ni raia au alikuwa raia.
(3) Bunge linaweza kutunga sheria ili kuweka mipaka ya taathira ya ibara ya (1) na ya (2) kwa vizazi vya raia wa Kenya ambao wamezaliwa nje ya Kenya.
(4) Mtoto aliyepatikana nchini Kenya ambaye, au anaonekana kuwa na umri chini ya miaka minane, na ambaye utaifa na wazazi hawajulikani, anachukuliwa kuwa ni raia kwa kuzaliwa.
(5) Mtu ambaye ni raia wa Kenya kwa kuzaliwa na ameacha kuwa raia wa Kenya kwa sababu mtu huyo alipata uraia wa nchi nyingine, ana haki ya kutuma maombi ya kupata uraia wa Kenya. (Kifungu cha 14)