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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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Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Ghana
- English(1) All persons shall be equal before the law.
(2) A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status.
(3) For the purposes of this article, "discriminate" means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description which are not granted of persons of another description are not made subject or are granted privileges or advantages which are not granted to persons of another description.
(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are reasonably necessary to provide-
(a) for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalance in the Ghanaian society;
...
(d) for making different provision for different communities having regard to their special circumstances not being provision which is inconsistent with the spirit of this Constitution.
... (Art. 17)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Côte d’Ivoire
- English
We, the People of Côte d'Ivoire;
…
Express our commitment to:
…
- promoting equality between men and women;
… (Preamble) - French
Nous, Peuple de Côte d’Ivoire ;
…
Exprimons notre engagement à :
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- promouvoir l’égalité entre les hommes et les femmes ;
… (Préambule)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Burundi
- EnglishThe State has the duty to put in place a policy of reforms pertinent to matters of defense and of security that reinforces the unity and the cohesion of the Burundian People, notably by assuring the necessary ethnic, regional and gender equilibriums. (Art. 261)
- KirundiLeta itegerezwa gushinga umugambi wo guhindura biboneka ivyerekeye kurwanira n’ugucungera umutekano bituma ubumwe n’umwumvikano w’abanyagihugu bikomera cane cane ku kuwurangura ku buryo abarundi bose bo mu moko yose, intara zose n’ibitsina vyose baserukirwa muri izo nzego. (Ingingo ya 261)
- FrenchL’Etat a le devoir de mettre en place une politique des réformes pertinentes en matière de défense et de sécurité qui renforce l’unité et la cohésion du peuple burundais, notamment en assurant les équilibres ethniques, régionaux et de genres nécessaires. (Art. 261)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Zimbabwe
- English…
(3) Every person has the right not to be treated in an unfairly discriminatory manner on such grounds as their nationality, race, colour, tribe, place of birth, ethnic or social origin, language, class, religious belief, political affiliation, opinion, custom, culture, sex, gender, marital status, age, pregnancy, disability or economic or social status, or whether they were born in or out of wedlock.
…
(6) The State must take reasonable legislative and other measures to promote the achievement of equality and to protect or advance people or classes of people who have been disadvantaged by unfair discrimination, and—
(a) such measures must be taken to redress circumstances of genuine need;
(b) no such measure is to be regarded as unfair for the purposes of subsection (3). (Sec. 56)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Malawi
- EnglishThe State shall actively promote the welfare and development of the people of Malawi by progressively adopting and implementing policies and legislation aimed at achieving the following goals—
a. Gender Equality
To obtain gender equality through—
(i) full participation of women in all spheres of Malawian society on the basis of equal opportunities with men;
(ii) the implementation of the principles of nondiscrimination and such other measures as may be required;
… (Sec. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Namibia
- English...
(2) Nothing contained in Article 10 hereof shall prevent Parliament from enacting legislation providing directly or indirectly for the advancement of persons within Namibia who have been socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged by past discriminatory laws or practices, or for the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational imbalances in the Namibian society arising out of discriminatory laws or practices, or for achieving a balanced structuring of the public service, the defence force, the police force, and the correctional service.
(3) In the enactment of legislation and the application of any policies and practices contemplated by Sub-Article (2) hereof, it shall be permissible to have regard to the fact that women in Namibia have traditionally suffered special discrimination and that they need to be encouraged and enabled to play a full, equal and effective role in the political, social, economic and cultural life of the nation. (Art. 23)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Uganda
- English1. All persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law.
2. Without prejudice to clause (l) of this article, a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.
3. For the purposes of this article, “discriminate” means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.
4. Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are necessary for-
a. implementing policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic, educational or other imbalance in society;
b. making such provision as is required or authorised to be made under this Constitution; or
… (Art. 21)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
South Sudan
- English…
6. The objects of local government shall be to:
…
h. ensure gender mainstreaming in local government;
… (Art. 166)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Kenya
- English(1) The Judicial Service Commission shall promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the judiciary and the efficient, effective and transparent administration of justice …
(2) In the performance of its functions, the Commission shall be guided by the following—
...
(b) the promotion of gender equality. (Art. 172) - Swahili(1) Tume ya Huduma ya Mahakama itakuza na kuwezesha uhuru na uwajibikaji wa mahakama na usimamizi wa haki wenye ufanisi na wenye matokeo yanayotarajiwa na wa uwazi ...
(2) Katika utekelezaji wa majukumu yake, Tume itaongozwa na mambo yafuatayo—
...
(b) uimarishaji wa usawa wa kijinsia. (Kifungu cha 172)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Zimbabwe
- English(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, every member of a Commission is appointed for a term of five years which is renewable for one additional term only.
…
(4) Where a Commission has a chairperson and a deputy chairperson, they must be of different genders.
… (Sec. 320)