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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
- English1. The State shall recognise and esteem traditional authority that is legitimate according to the people and to customary law.
2. The State shall define the relationship between traditional authority and other institutions and the part that traditional authority should play in the economic, social and cultural affairs of the country, in accordance with the law. (Art. 118) - Portuguese1. O Estado reconhece e valoriza a autoridade tradicional legitimada pelas populações e segundo o direito consuetudinário.
2. O Estado define o relacionamento da autoridade tradicional com as demais instituições e enquadra a sua participação na vida económica, social e cultural do país, nos termos da lei. (Art. 118)
Customary Law
- English(1) A bill (including any amendment to a bill) which, in the opinion of the presiding officer would affect or alter any matter regulated in terms of this section shall only be introduced in the Senate.
(2) Where a bill, in terms of this section, is duly introduced the Senate shall not proceed to the Second Reading of that bill until
(a) a copy of that bill has been sent by the President to the Council of Chiefs, and
(b) a period of sixty days has elapsed since the copy was sent to the Council in terms of paragraph (a).
(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), where a bill affecting or altering any of the matters referred to in this section has been introduced in and passed by the Senate and has been sent to the House at least sixty days before the end of the session but has not within that period been passed by both Chambers, the bill shall be referred to a joint sitting of the Senate and the House in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule.
(4) A bill having been duly introduced in and passed by the Senate shall not be referred to a joint sitting in terms of subsection (3) where the bill
(a) has been sent to the House at least sixty days before the end of the session, and
(b) has not been considered by the House within sixty days after the bill is so sent,
but shall, unless the Senate otherwise agrees, be presented to the King for assent.
(5) A bill shall not be presented to the King for assent in terms of subsection (4) unless the Senate so resolves by two-thirds majority of all the Senators.
(6) The provisions of this section apply to a bill which, in the opinion of the presiding officer would, if enacted, alter or affect
(a) the status, powers or privileges, designation or recognition of the Ngwenyama, Ndlovukazi or Umntfwanenkhosi Lomkhulu;
(b) the designation, recognition, removal, powers, of chief or other traditional authority;
(c) the organisation, powers or administration of Swazi (customary) courts or chiefs’ courts;
(d) Swazi law and custom, or the ascertainment or recording of Swazi law and custom;
(e) Swazi nation land; or
(f) Incwala, Umhlanga (Reed Dance), Libutfo (Regimental system) or similar cultural activity or organisation.
(7) Subject to the provisions of this section, the matters listed under subsection (6) shall continue to be regulated by Swazi law and custom. (Sec. 115)
Customary Law
- English(1) Traditional leaders have the following functions within their areas of jurisdiction—
(a) to promote and uphold cultural values of their communities and, in particular, to promote sound family values;
(b) to take measures to preserve the culture, traditions, history and heritage of their communities, including sacred shrines;
(c) to facilitate development;
(d) in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to administer Communal Land and to protect the environment;
(e) to resolve disputes amongst people in their communities in accordance with customary law; and
(f) to exercise any other functions conferred or imposed on them by an Act of Parliament.
(2) Except as provided in an Act of Parliament, traditional leaders have authority, jurisdiction and control over the Communal Land or other areas for which they have been appointed, and over persons within those Communal Lands or areas.
(3) In the performance of their functions, traditional leaders are not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as may be prescribed in an Act of Parliament.
(4) An Act of Parliament must provide for the regulation of the conduct of traditional leaders. (Sec. 282)
Customary Law
- English1. The judicial power of Uganda shall be exercised by the courts of judicature which shall consist of-
…
d. such subordinate courts as Parliament may by law establish, including qadhis courts for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property and guardianship, as may be prescribed by Parliament.
… (Art. 129)
Customary Law
- English(1) In this Constitution unless a contrary intention appears—
• “Chiefdom Council” means a Chiefdom Council constituted under the Chiefdom Councils Act;
…
• “law” includes—
a. any instrument having the force of law made in exercise of a power conferred by law;
b. customary law and any other unwritten rules of law;
… (Sec. 171)
Customary Law
- English(1) Except for the areas of Ghanzi, Chobe, Kgalagadi and North East, the Members for the areas referred to in section 77(1)(a) shall be designated to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi according to the established norms and practices of those areas.
(2) The Members for the Ghanzi, Chobe, Kgalagadi and North-East areas referred to in section 77(1)(a) shall be selected, from their own number, to the Ntlo ya Dikgosi by persons for the time being performing the functions of the office of Kgosi within each of those areas.
… (Sec. 78)
Customary Law
- English...
(4) Parliament shall enact legislation that recognises—
(a) marriages concluded under any tradition, or system of religious, personal or family law; and
(b) any system of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion,
to the extent that any such marriages or systems of law are consistent with this Constitution. (Art. 45) - Swahili...
(4) Bunge litatunga sheria inayotambua-
(a) ndoa zilizofungwa chini ya utamaduni wowote, au mfumo wa sheria za kidini, za binafsi au za familia; na
(b) mfumo wowote wa sheria binafsi au familia chini ya utamaduni wowote, au inazingatiwa na watu ambao ni waumini wa dini fulani,
kwa kiwango kwamba ndoa yoyote ya namna hiyo au mifumo ya sheria haipingani na Katiba hii. (Kifungu cha 45)
Customary Law
- English(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion.
(2) Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that-
(a) those observances follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities;
(b) they are conducted on an equitable basis; and
(c) attendance at them is free and voluntary.
(3) (a) This section does not prevent legislation recognising-
(i) marriages concluded under any tradition, or a system of religious, personal or family law; or
(ii) systems of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion.
(b) Recognition in terms of paragraph (a) must be consistent with this section and the other provisions of the Constitution. (Sec. 15)
Customary Law
- English1. Government shall have the duty to support, on the basis of equality, the growth and enrichment of cultures and traditions that are compatible with fundamental rights, human dignity, democratic norms and ideals, and the provisions Constitution.
… (Art. 91) - Amharic1. መንግሥት መሰረታዊ መብቶችንና ሰብዓዊ ክብርን፣ ዴሞክራሲንና ሕገ መንግሥቱን የማይቃረኑ ባሕሎችና ልማዶች በእኩልነት እንዲጐለብቱና እንዲያድጉ የመርዳት ኃላፊነት አለበት፡፡
… (አንቀጽ 91)
Customary Law
- English
The Gabonese people,
…
Solemnly proclaim their adherence to their profound and traditional social values, to their cultural, material and spiritual patrimony, to respect for the freedoms, the rights and the duties of the citizen.
… (Preamble) - French
Le peuple gabonais,
…
Proclame solennellement son attachement à ses valeurs sociales profondes et traditionnelles, à son patrimoine culturel, matériel et spirituel, au respect des libertés, des droits et des devoirs du citoyen.
… (Préambule)