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
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
Chad
- English… feminine genital mutilations, premature marriages as well as other forms of debasement of the human being are prohibited. (Art. 19)
- Arabic... يحظر تشويه الأعضاء التناسلية الأنثوية والزواج المبكر إلى جانب أشكال أخرى من الحط من الإنسان. (المادة 19)
- French… les mutilations génitales féminines, les mariages précoces ainsi que toutes les autres formes d'avilissement de l'être humain sont interdits. (Art. 19)
Customary Law
South Sudan
- English…
4. All levels of government shall:
...
b. enact laws to combat harmful customs and traditions which undermine the dignity and status of women;
… (Art. 16)
Customary Law
Kenya
- English...
(2) In exercising judicial authority, the courts and tribunals shall be guided by the following principles—
…
(c) alternative forms of dispute resolution including reconciliation, mediation, arbitration and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
…
(3) Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not be used in a way that—
(a) contravenes the Bill of Rights;
(b) is repugnant to justice and morality or results in outcomes that are repugnant to justice or morality; or
(c) is inconsistent with this Constitution or any written law. (Art. 159) - Swahili...
(2) Katika kutumia mamlaka ya mahakama, mahakama na mabaraza yataongozwa na kanuni zifuatazo-
…
(c) njia mbadala za utatuzi wa mgogoro ikiwa ni pamoja na maridhiano, upatanishi, usuluhishi na njia za kijadi za utatuzi wa mgogoro zitahamasishwa, kwa kuzingatia ibara ya (3) ;
…
(3) Njia za kijadi za utatuzi wa mgogoro hazitatumika kwa njia ambayo—
(a) inakiuka Sheria ya Haki za Binadamu;
(b) inakinzana na haki na maadili au husababisha matokeo ambayo yanakinzana na haki au maadili; au
(c) ni kinyume cha Katiba hii au sheria yoyote iliyoandikwa. (Kifungu cha 159)
Customary Law
Malawi
- EnglishExcept in so far as they are inconsistent with this Constitution, all Acts of Parliament, common law and customary law in force on the appointed day shall continue to have force of law, as if they had been made in accordance with and in pursuance of this Constitution:
Provided that any laws currently in force may be amended or repealed by an Act of Parliament or be declared unconstitutional by a competent court. (Sec. 200)
Customary Law
Sudan
- EnglishAll ethnic and cultural groups shall have the right to enjoy their own culture and develop it freely. The members of such groups shall have the right to exercise their beliefs, use their languages, observe their religions or customs, and raise their children in the framework of such cultures and customs. (Art. 65)
- Arabicلكل المجموعات العرقية والثقافية الحق في أن تنعم بثقافتها الخاصة وتطورها بحرية، وللمنتميين لهذة المجموعات الحق في أن يمارسوا معتقداتهم ويستخدموا لغاتهم ويراعوا أديانهم واعرافهم وينشئوا اطفالهم في إطار تلك الثقافات والاعراف. (الماده 66)
Customary Law
Central African Republic
- English…
It recognizes and protects the traditional values in accordance with the law and the Customary Authorities.
… (Art. 24) - French…
Elle reconnaît et protège les valeurs traditionnelles conformes à la loi et les Autorités costumières.
… (Art. 24)
Customary Law
Nigeria
- English(1) For the purpose of exercising any jurisdiction conferred upon it by this Constitution or any other law, the Court of Appeal shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than three Justices of the Court of Appeal and in the case of appeals from –
…
(b) a Customary Court of Appeal, if it consists of not less than three Justices of Court of Appeal learned in Customary law. (Sec. 247)
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
Lesotho
- English1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4) and (5) 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, colour, sex, 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.
4. Subsection (1) shall not apply to any law to the extent that that law makes provision—
…
b. for the application, in the case of persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) (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;
c. for the application of the customary law of Lesotho with respect to any matter in the case of persons who, under that law, are subject to that law;
… (Sec. 18)