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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.
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Customary Law
South Africa
- English...
(2) When interpreting any legislation, and when developing the common law or customary law, every court, tribunal or forum must promote the spirit, purport and objects of the Bill of Rights.
(3) The Bill of Rights does not deny the existence of any other rights or freedoms that are recognised or conferred by common law, customary law or legislation, to the extent that they are consistent with the Bill. (Sec. 39)
Customary Law
Gambia
- English…
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (5), no law shall make any provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(4) In this section, the expression "discrimination" means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 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.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to any law in so far as that law makes provision—
…
(c) with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other matters of personal law;
(d) for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter in the case of persons who, under that law, are subject to that law.
… (Sec. 33)
Customary Law
Zambia
- EnglishA chief—
a. may own property in a personal capacity; and
b. shall enjoy privileges and benefits—
i. bestowed on the office of chief by or under culture, custom and tradition; and
ii. attached to the office of chief, as prescribed. (Art. 167)
Customary Law
Namibia
- 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
Zimbabwe
- English…
(2) When interpreting an enactment, and when developing the common law and customary law, every court, tribunal, forum or body must promote and be guided by the spirit and objectives of this Chapter13. (Sec. 46)
Customary Law
Benin
- English
The State recognizes traditional leadership [chefferie], guardian of habits [us] and customs [,] within the conditions established by the law. (Art. 151-1)
- French
L’Etat reconnait la chefferie traditionnelle gardienne des us et coutumes dans les conditions fixées par la loi. (Art. 151-1)
Customary Law
Chad
- EnglishCustomary and traditional rules concerning collective criminal responsibility are prohibited. (Art. 27)
- Arabicتحظر القواعد العرفية والتقليدية المتعلقة بالمسؤولية الجنائية الجماعية. (المادة 27)
- FrenchLes règles coutumières et traditionnelles relatives à la responsabilité pénale collective sont interdites. (Art. 27)
Customary Law
Uganda
- English...
3. Land in Uganda shall be owned in accordance with the following land tenure systems-
a. customary;
b. freehold;
c. mailo; and
d. leasehold.
4. On the coming into force of this Constitution-
a. all Uganda citizens owning land under customary tenure may acquire certificates of ownership in a manner prescribed by Parliament; and
b. land under customary tenure may be converted to freehold land ownership by registration.
… (Art. 237)
Customary Law
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- English…
The State guarantees the right to individual or collective property, acquired in conformity to the law or to custom.
… (Art. 34) - French…
L’Etat garantit le droit à la propriété individuelle ou collective acquis conformément à la loi ou à la coutume.
… (Art. 34)
Customary Law
Chad
- EnglishThe Traditional and Customary Authorities participate notably in:
- The valuing [valorisation] of use and customs;
- The promotion of the ideas of peace, of development and of social cohesion;
- The non-jurisdictional regulation of disputes [différends] within their territorial] resort. (Art. 218) - Arabicتشارك السلطات التقليدية والعرفية لا سيما في:
- تقييم التقاليد والأعراف؛
- الترويج لأفكار السلام والتنمية والتماسك الاجتماعي؛
- التنظيم غير القضائي للمنازعات داخل نطاقها الإقليمي. (المادة 218) - FrenchLes Autorités Traditionnelles et Coutumières participent notamment à:
- La valorisation des us et coutumes;
- La promotion des idéaux de paix, de développement et de cohésion sociale;
- Au règlement non juridictionnel des différends dans leur ressort territorial. (Art. 218)