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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
Zambia
- EnglishThe Laws of Zambia consist of—
...
d. Zambian customary law which is consistent with this Constitution; … (Art. 7)
Customary Law
Malawi
- English...
3. Parliament may make provision for traditional or local courts presided over by lay persons or chiefs:
Provided that the jurisdiction of such courts shall be limited exclusively to civil cases at customary law and such minor common law and statutory offences as prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
4. Appeals from subordinate courts shall lie to the High Court, unless provided in this Constitution or by an Act of Parliament. (Sec. 110)
Customary Law
Botswana
- 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.
…
(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, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex 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) 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, community or tribe of customary law with respect to any matter whether to the exclusion of any law in respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons or not;
… (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
Ghana
- English…
(3) A Regional House of Chiefs shall—
(a) perform such functions as may be conferred upon it by or under an Act of Parliament;
(b) advise any person or authority charged under this Constitution or any other law with any responsibility for any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy in the region;
(c) hear and determine appeals from the traditional councils within the region in respect of the nomination, election, selection, installation or deposition of a person as a chief;
(d) have original jurisdiction in all matters relating to a paramount stool or skin or the occupant of a paramount stool or skin, including a queenmother to a paramount stool or skin;
(e) undertake a study and make such general recommendations as are appropriate for the resolution or expeditious disposition of chieftaincy disputes in the region;
(f) undertake the compilation of the customary laws and lines of succession applicable to each stool or skin in the region.
… (Art. 274)
Customary Law
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
- English…
The civil and military Courts and Tribunals apply the duly ratified international treaties, the laws, [and] the regulatory acts, provided that they are in conformity with the laws as well as customary [law] unless the latter is contrary to the public order or to morality.
… (Art. 153) - French…
Les Cours et Tribunaux, civils et militaires, appliquent les traités internationaux dûment ratifiés, les lois, les actes réglementaires pour autant qu’ils soient conformes aux lois ainsi que la coutume pour autant que celle-ci ne soit pas contraire à l’ordre public ou aux bonnes mœurs.
… (Art. 153)
Customary Law
Mozambique
- EnglishThe State recognises the different normative and dispute resolution systems that co-exist in Mozambican society, insofar as they are not contrary to the fundamental principles and values of the Constitution. (Art. 4)
- PortugueseO Estado reconhece os vários sistemas normativos e de resolução de conflitos que coexistem na sociedade moçambicana, na medida em que não contrariem os valores e os princípios fundamentais da Constituição. (Art. 4)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English(1) Traditional leaders must—
(a) act in accordance with this Constitution and the laws of Zimbabwe;
(b) observe the customs pertaining to traditional leadership and exercise their functions for the purposes for which the institution of traditional leadership is recognised by this Constitution; and
(c) treat all persons within their areas equally and fairly.
(2) Traditional leaders must not—
(a) be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics;
(b) act in a partisan manner;
(c) further the interests of any political party or cause; or
(d) violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person. (Sec. 281)
Customary Law
Chad
- English…
The law establishes the rules concerning:
…
- the procedure according to which customs [coutumes] are declared and harmonized with the principles of the Constitution;
… (Art. 127) - Arabic...
ينص القانون على القواعد المتعلقة:
...
- بالإجراءات التي أعلنت بموجبها الأعراف وتم تنسيقها مع مبادئ الدستور؛
... (المادة 127) - French…
La loi fixe les règles concernant:
…
- la procédure selon laquelle les coutumes sont constatées et mises en harmonie avec les principes de la Constitution;
… (Art. 127)
Customary Law
Liberia
- EnglishThe Judicial Power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and such subordinate courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with the standards enacted by the Legislature. … (Art. 65)
Customary Law
Eswatini
- English(1) INgwenyama is the traditional head of the Swazi State and is chosen by virtue of the rank and character of his mother in accordance with Swazi law and custom.
(2) INgwenyama enjoys the same legal protection and immunity from legal suit or process as the King.
(3) Subject to an elaborate system of advisory councils, the functions of iNgwenyama under this chapter15 shall be regulated by Swazi law and custom. (Sec. 228)