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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
The freedom of belief, of non-belief, of conscience, of religious opinion, [of] philosophy, of exercise of belief, the freedom of assembly, the free practice of custom as well as the freedom of procession and of demonstration, are guaranteed by this Constitution, under reserve of respect for the law, for public order, for good morals and for the human person. (Art. 7)
- French
La liberté de croyance, de non croyance, de conscience, d’opinion religieuse, philosophique, d’exercice de culte, la liberté de réunion, la pratique de la coutume ainsi que la liberté de cortège et de manifestation sont garanties par la présente Constitution, sous réserve du respect de la loi, de l’ordre public, des bonnes mœurs et de la personne humaine. (Art. 7)
Customary Law
- EnglishThe customary authority is recognized.
It is devolved conforming to local custom, provided that it is not contrary to the Constitution, to the law, to public order and to good morals.
Each customary chief [who] desires to exercise a public elective mandate must submit himself to election, except in application of the provisions of Article 197, paragraph 3 of this Constitution.
The customary authority has the duty to promote national unity and cohesion.
A law establishes the status of the customary chiefs. (Art. 207) - FrenchL’autorité coutumière est reconnue.
Elle est dévolue conformément à la coutume locale, pour autant que celle-ci ne soit pas contraire à la Constitution, à la loi, à l’ordre public et aux bonnes moeurs.
Tout Chef coutumier désireux d’exercer un mandat public électif doit se soumettre à l’élection, sauf application des dispositions de l’article 197 alinéa 3 de la présente Constitution.
L’autorité coutumière a le devoir de promouvoir l’unité et la cohésion nationales.
Une loi fixe le statut des chefs coutumiers. (Art. 207)
Customary Law
- 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
- 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
- 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
- English(1) A surviving spouse is entitled to a reasonable provision out of the estate of the other spouse whether the other spouse died having made a valid will or not and whether the spouses were married by civil or customary rites.
(2) Parliament shall, as soon as practicable after the commencement of this Constitution, enact legislation regulating the property rights of spouses including common-law husband and wife. (Sec. 34)
Customary Law
- 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
- English(1) The laws of Ghana shall comprise—
…
(e) the common law.
(2) The common law of Ghana shall comprise the rules of law generally known as the common law, the rules generally known as the doctrines of equity and the rules of customary law including those determined by the Superior Court of Judicature.
(3) For the purposes of this article, “customary law” means the rules of law which by custom are applicable to particular communities in Ghana.
… (Art. 11)
Customary Law
- 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)
Customary Law
- 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)