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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.
Customary Law
- English(1) There is a National Council of Chiefs constituted in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to represent all Chiefs in Zimbabwe.
(2) An Act of Parliament must establish for each province, other than the metropolitan provinces, a provincial assembly of Chiefs consisting of the Chiefs in that province.
(3) So far as practicable the Chiefs in each province must be equitably represented in the National Council of Chiefs.
(4) Elections of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs must be conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
(5) Each provincial assembly of Chiefs must elect, in accordance with the Electoral Law, Chiefs to represent the province in the Senate in terms of section 120(1)(b).
(6) The President and Deputy President of the National Council of Chiefs are elected for a term of five years and are eligible for re-election for one further such term, but a person who has served two terms as Deputy President is eligible for election as President.
(7) An Act of Parliament must provide for—
(a) the election of Chiefs to the National Council of Chiefs, and the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates for election;
(b) the oath of office to be taken by members of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs;
(c) the tenure of office of members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(d) the remuneration, pension and other benefits of the President, Deputy President and members of the National Council of Chiefs;
(e) the procedure to be followed at meetings of the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs; and
(f) the establishment of a secretariat for the National Council of Chiefs and provincial assemblies of Chiefs. (Sec. 285)
Customary Law
- English1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
2. Laws, cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or any other marginalised group to which clause (1) relates or which undermine their status, are prohibited by this Constitution.
… (Art. 32)
Customary Law
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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
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(2) In exercising judicial authority, the courts and tribunals shall be guided by the following principles—
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(c) alternative forms of dispute resolution including reconciliation, mediation, arbitration and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
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(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-
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(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) ;
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(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
- EnglishUntil their codification, the customary and traditional rules are only applicable in the communities where they are recognized.
However, the customs contrary to the public order or those that promote inequality between citizens are prohibited. (Art. 161) - Arabicلا تنطبق القواعد العرفية والتقليدية في المجتمعات المحلية حيث يُعترف بها إلا عند تدوينها.
لكن تحظر الأعراف المتنافية مع النظام العام أو التي تعزز عدم المساواة بين المواطنين. (المادة 161) - FrenchJusqu'à leur codification, les règles coutumières et traditionnelles ne s'appliquent que dans les communautés où elles sont reconnues.
Toutefois, les coutumes contraires à l'ordre public ou celles qui prônent l'inégalité entre les citoyens sont interdites. (Art. 161)
Customary Law
- English
(1) In exercising his powers under the foregoing provisions of this Chapter11 in respect of appointments to the offices of Justices of the Supreme court and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the President shall have regard to the need to ensure that there are among the holders of such offices persons learned in Islamic personal law and persons learned in Customary law.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
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(b) a person shall be deemed to be learned in Customary law if he is a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a period of not less than fifteen years in the case of a Justice of the Supreme Court or not less than twelve years in the case of a Justice of the Court of Appeal and has in either case and in the opinion of the National Judicial Council considerable knowledge of and experience in the practice of Customary law. (Sec. 288)
Customary Law
- 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.
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(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
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2. In exercising judicial authority, the courts shall be guided by the following principles:
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d. alternative forms of dispute resolution, including traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, shall be promoted, subject to clause (3);
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3. Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms shall not—
a. contravene the Bill of Rights;
b. be inconsistent with other provisions of this Constitution or other written law; or
c. be repugnant to justice and morality. (Art. 118)
Customary Law
- English...(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the principles of Eswatini customary law (Eswatini Law and Custom) are hereby recognised and adopted and shall be applied and enforced as part of the law of Eswatini.(3) The provisions of subsection (2) do not apply in respect of any custom that is, and to the extent that it is, inconsistent with a provision of this Constitution or a statute, or repugnant to natural justice or morality or general principles of humanity.(4) Parliament may ...(a) provide for the proof and pleading of the rule of custom for any purpose;(b) regulate the manner in which or the purpose for which custom may be recognised, applied or enforced; and(c) provide for the resolution of conflicts of customs or conflicts of personal laws. (Sec. 252)
Customary Law
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b. The Legislature shall enact laws to govern the devolution of estates and establish rights of inheritance and descent for spouses of both statutory and customary marriages so as to give adequate protection to surviving spouses and children of such marriages. (Art. 23)