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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
Uganda
- English1. A regional assembly may establish standing and other committees or organs for the efficient discharge of its functions.
2. The representatives of cultural interests shall constitute the standing committee on cultural matters.
3. The standing committee on cultural matters shall have, as against the rest of the members of the regional assembly, exclusive jurisdiction on the cultural matters of the region.
4. In this paragraph "cultural matters" include the following-
a. the choice and installation of a traditional leader or cultural leader;
b. all traditional and cultural matters relating to the traditional or cultural leader and to the institutions of the traditional leader or cultural leader as well as royal members of the traditional leadership;
c. the choice, appointment and succession to clan and subclan leadership;
d. clan, traditional and customary matters;
e. matters relating to cultural funeral rites, cultural succession and customary heirs;
f. cultural or traditional lands, sites, shrines and installations;
g. clan lands, sites, shrines and installations; and
h. traditional, customary and cultural practices which are consistent with this Constitution.
5. In carrying out its responsibilities under subparagraphs (3) and (4), the standing committee on cultural matters shall consult the traditional or cultural leader of the region as well as the relevant clan leaders.
6. A decision of the standing committee on cultural matters shall not be effective until the decision has been approved by the traditional or cultural leader of the region and, in the case of succession under subparagraph (4)(a), by the clan or cultural leader's council. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 3)
Customary Law
South Sudan
- English…
4. All levels of government shall:
...
b. enact laws to combat harmful customs and traditions which undermine the dignity and status of women;
… (Art. 16)
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
Ghana
- 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
Chad
- EnglishThe customary and traditional remedies [réparations] may not be made an obstacle to public action. (Art. 163)
- Arabicلا يجوز أن تعيق التدابير التصحيحية العرفية والتقليدية العمل العام. (المادة 163)
- FrenchLes réparations coutumières et traditionnelles ne peuvent faire obstacle à l'action publique. (Art. 163)
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
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-
…
(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
Zambia
- English1. Land shall be delimited and classified as State land, customary land and such other classification, as prescribed.
… (Art. 254)
Customary Law
Zimbabwe
- English(1) The judiciary of Zimbabwe consists of—
…
(f) persons presiding over magistrates courts, customary law courts and other courts established by or under an Act of Parliament.
… (Sec. 163)
Customary Law
Eswatini
- English(1) There shall be a Council of Chiefs which shall be composed of twelve Chiefs drawn from the four regions of the Kingdom appointed by the iNgwenyama on a rotational basis.
(2) There shall be a Chairman of the Council who shall be appointed by the iNgwenyama and a secretary whose office shall be a public office.
(3) The Council of Chiefs shall be responsible for, among other things ...
(a) advising the King on customary issues and any matter relating to or affecting chieftaincy including chieftaincy disputes;
(b) performing the function in terms of section 115; and
(c) performing such other functions as may be assigned by this Constitution or any other law.
… (Sec. 251)