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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.
ABOUT 4189 RESULTS
Customary Law
Sierra Leone
- English(1) The institution of Chieftaincy as established by customary law and usage and its non- abolition by legislation is hereby guaranteed and preserved.
(2) Without derogating from the generality of the provisions of subsection (1), no provision of law in so far as it provides for the abolition of the office of Paramount Chief as existing by customary law and usage immediately before the entry into force of this Constitution, shall have effect unless it is included in an Act of Parliament and the provisions of Section 108 shall apply in relation to the Bill for such an Act as they apply in relation to the Bill for an Act of Parliament that alters any of the provisions of this Constitution that are referred to in subsection (3) of that section.
(3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with, or in contravention of, the provisions of subsection (1) to the extent that the law in question makes provision for the determination, in accordance with appropriate customary law and usage, of the validity of the nomination, election, unseating or replacement of any Paramount Chief, or the question of restraining in any way the exercise of any rights, duties, privileges or functions conferred upon, or enjoyed by him, by virtue of his office or the installation or deposition of a person as a Paramount Chief.
(4) A Paramount Chief may be removed from office by the President for any gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office if after a public inquiry conducted under the Chairmanship of a Judge of the High Court or a Justice of Appeal or a Justice of the Supreme Court, the Commission of Inquiry makes an adverse finding against the Paramount Chief, and the President is of the opinion that it is in the public interest that the Paramount Chief should be removed.
(5) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and in furtherance of the provisions of this section, Parliament shall make laws for the qualifications, election, powers, functions, removal and other matters connected with Chieftaincy. (Sec. 72)
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
Rwanda
- English…
Unwritten customary law remains applicable provided it has not been replaced by written law, is not inconsistent with the Constitution, laws, and orders, and neither violates human rights nor prejudices public security or good morals. (Art. 176) - Kinyarwanda…
Amategeko gakondo atanditse akomeza gukurikizwa gusa iyo atasimbuwe n’amategeko yanditse kandi akaba atanyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga, amategeko, n'amateka cyangwa ngo abe abangamiye uburenganzira bwa Muntu, ituze rusange rya rubanda cyangwa imyitwarire iboneye. (Ingingo ya 176) - French…
La coutume ne demeure applicable que pour autant qu’elle n’ait pas été remplacée par une loi et qu’elle n’ait rien de contraire à la Constitution, aux lois et aux arrêtés ou ne porte pas atteinte aux droits de la personne, à l’ordre public et aux bonnes mœurs. (Art. 176)
Customary Law
Côte d’Ivoire
- English
…
The State promotes and protects the cultural patrimony as well as the habits and customs which are not contrary to public order and morality. (Art. 24) - French
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L’Etat promeut et protège le patrimoine culturel ainsi que les us et coutumes qui ne sont pas contraires à l’ordre public et aux bonnes mœurs. (Art. 24)
Customary Law
Liberia
- English...
b. There shall be elections of Paramount, Clan and Town Chiefs by the registered voters in their respective localities, to serve for a term of six years. They may be re-elected and may be removed only by the President for proved misconduct. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for their qualifications as may be required. (Art. 56)
Customary Law
South Sudan
- English…
6. The objects of local government shall be to:
…
i. acknowledge and incorporate the role of Traditional Authority and customary law in the local government system;
… (Art. 166)
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
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-
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(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
Nigeria
- English(1) An appeal shall lie from decisions of a customary Court of Appeal to the Court of Appeal as of right in any civil proceedings before the customary Court of Appeal with respect to any question of Customary law and such other matters as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
(2) Any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decisions of a Customary Court of Appeal conferred by this section shall be –
(a) exercisable at the instance of a party thereto or, with the leave of the Customary Court of Appeal or of the Court of Appeal, at the instance of any other person having an interest in the matter;
(b) exercised in accordance with any Act of the National Assembly and rules of court for the time being in force regulating the powers, practice and procedure of the Court of Appeal. (Sec. 245)
Customary Law
Sudan
- English…
(4) The state shall work to combat harmful customs and traditions that reduce the dignity and status of women.
… (Art. 48) - Arabic…
4. تعمل الدولة علي محاربة العاذات والتقاليد الضارة التي تقلل من كرامة المرأة ووضعيتها..
(الماده 49)