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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.
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English1. Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7), no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
3. In this section, 'discriminatory" means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, caste, 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 that 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 –
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aa. for a minimum number of candidates for election to local authorities to be of a particular sex, with a view to ensuring adequate representation of each sex on a local authority;
ab. for a minimum number of candidates for election to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly to be of a particular sex, with a view to ensuring adequate representation of each sex in the Rodrigues Regional Assembly;
… (Sec. 16)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- 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)
- 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)
- EnglishThe State and the Autonomous Collectivities create the conditions and the institutions which assure and guarantee … the promotion of gender … (Art. 40)
- Arabicتهيئ الدولة والجماعات المستقلة الظروف والمؤسسات التي تؤمن وتضمن... تعزيز المنظور الجنساني ... (المادة 40)
- FrenchL'Etat et les Collectivités Autonomes créent les conditions et les institutions qui assurent et garantissent … la promotion du genre … (Art. 40)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
…
All human beings are equal before the law. Men and Women are equal in right [droit].
The law promotes [favorise] the equal access of women and men to the mandates and functions.
… (Art. 7) - French
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Tous les êtres humains sont égaux devant la loi. Les hommes et les femmes sont égaux en droit.
La loi favorise l’égal accès des femmes et des hommes aux mandats et fonctions.
... (Art. 7)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English(1) The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must endeavour to facilitate rapid and equitable development, and in particular must take measures to—
(a) promote private initiative and self-reliance;
(b) foster agricultural, commercial, industrial, technological and scientific development;
(c) foster the development of industrial and commercial enterprises in order to empower Zimbabwean citizens; and
(d) bring about balanced development of the different areas of Zimbabwe, in particular a proper balance in the development of rural and urban areas.
(2) Measures referred to in this section must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them.
(3) Measures referred to in this section must protect and enhance the right of the people, particularly women, to equal opportunities in development.
… (Sec. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
…
The man and the woman are equal in law. However, the law may establish special provisions for amelioration of the representation of the people by women.
… (Art. 26) - French
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L'homme et la femme sont égaux en droit. Toutefois, la loi peut fixer des dispositions spéciales d’amélioration de la représentation du peuple par les femmes. ... (Art. 26)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
The State works for the promotion of the political rights of women by encouraging their opportunities of access to representation in the elected assemblies.
The conditions of application of this provision are established by an organic law. (Art. 59) - Arabic
تعمل الدولة على ترقية الحقوق السياسية للمرأة بتوسيع حظوظ تمثيلها في المجالس المنتخبة
يحدد قانون عضوي شروط تطبيق هذا الحكم (المادة 59) - French
L'Etat œuvre à la promotion des droits politiques de la femme en encourageant ses chances d'accès à la représentation dans les assemblées élues.
Les conditions d'application de cette disposition sont fixées par une loi organique. (Art. 59)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…(2) Without derogating from the generality of the foregoing subsection, the women of Eswatini and other marginalized groups have a right to equitable representation in Parliament and other public structures. (Sec. 84)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
(3) Members must be appointed or elected to the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders as soon as possible after the beginning of the first session of each Parliament, and they must be selected so that the committee reflects as nearly as possible the political and gender composition of the combined Houses of Parliament.
… (Sec. 151)