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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
Sierra Leone
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which 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, sex, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed 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 so far as that law makes provision—
…
d. with respect to adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death or other interests of personal law;
e. for the application in the case of members of a particular race or tribe or customary law with respect to any matter to the exclusion of any law with respect to that matter which is applicable in the case of other persons;
… (Sec. 27)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English…
(2) The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level, include—
…
(h) the fostering of national unity, peace and stability, with due regard to diversity of languages, customary practices and traditions;
… (Sec. 3)
Customary Law
Uganda
- 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
Malawi
- English...
2. Any law that discriminates against women on the basis of gender or marital status shall be invalid and legislation shall be passed to eliminate customs and practices that discriminate against women, particularly practices such as—
a. sexual abuse, harassment and violence;
b. discrimination in work, business and public affairs; and
c. deprivation of property, including property obtained by inheritance. (Sec. 24)
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
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
Ghana
- English(1) Subject to clause (2) of this article, the State shall take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and the conscious introduction of cultural dimensions to relevant aspects of national planning.
(2) The State shall ensure that appropriate customary and cultural values are adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole; and in particular that traditional practices which are injurious to the health and well-being of the person are abolished.
… (Art. 39)
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
Lesotho
- English1. There shall be a College of Chiefs which, subject to the provisions of subsection (3), shall consist of the twenty-two Principal Chiefs.
… (Sec. 104)
Customary Law
Ethiopia
- English…
4. The State shall enforce the right of women to eliminate the influences of harmful customs. Laws, customs and practices that oppress or cause bodily or mental harm to women are prohibited.
… (Art. 35) - Amharic…
4. ሴቶች ከጐጂ ባሕል ተጽዕኖ የመላቀቅ መብታቸውን መንግሥት ማስከበር አለበት፡፡ ሴቶችን የሚጨቁኑ ወይም በአካላቸው ወይም በአዕምሮአቸው ላይ ጉዳት የሚያስከትሉ ሕጐች፣ ወጐችና ልማዶች የተከለከሉ ናቸው፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 35)