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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.
ABOUT 4188 RESULTS
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Zimbabwe
- English(1) The State must promote full gender balance in Zimbabwean society, and in particular—
(a) the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men;
(b) the State must take all measures, including legislative measures, needed to ensure that—
(i) both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government at every level; and
(ii) women constitute at least half the membership of all Commissions and other elective and appointed governmental bodies established by or under this Constitution or any Act of Parliament;
(c) the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take practical measures to ensure that women have access to resources, including land, on the basis of equality with men.
(2) The State must take positive measures to rectify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practices and policies. (Sec. 17)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Lesotho
- English1. Subject to the provisions of subsections (4) and (5) 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, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status 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) shall not apply to any law to the extent that that law makes provision—
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e. whereby persons of any such description as is mentioned in subsection (3) may be made subject to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the making of laws in pursuance of the principle of State Policy of promoting a society based on equality and justice for all the citizens of Lesotho and thereby removing any discriminatory law.
... (Sec. 18)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Angola
- EnglishThe fundamental tasks of the Angolan state shall be:
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k) To promote equality between men and women;
… (Art. 21) - PortugueseConstituem tarefas fundamentais do Estado angolano:
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k) Promover a igualdade entre o homem e a mulher;
… (Art. 21)
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)
Uganda
- EnglishThe State shall ensure gender balance and fair representation of marginalised groups on all constitutional and other bodies. (National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, VI)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Sierra Leone
- English(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), (5), and (7), no law shall make provision which is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
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(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, sex, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed 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) shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision—
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g. whereby persons of any such description as mentioned in subsection (3) may be subjected to any disability or restriction or may be accorded any privilege or advantage which, having regard to its nature and to special circumstances pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other such description, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society;
… (Sec. 27)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Chad
- EnglishThe State works for the promotion of the political rights of the woman for a better representation within the elected assemblies, the institutions and the public and private administrations.
The modalities of application of this Article are established by the law. (Art. 34) - Arabicتعمل الدولة على تعزيز الحقوق السياسية للمرأة من أجل تمثيل أفضل في المجالس المنتخبة والمؤسسات والإدارات الخاصة والعامة.
يحدد القانون طرائق تطبيق هذه المادة. (المادة 34) - FrenchL'Etat œuvre à la promotion des droits politiques de la femme par une meilleure représentation dans les assemblées élues, les institutions et administrations publiques et privées.
Les modalités d'application de cet article sont fixées par la loi. (Art. 34)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Zimbabwe
- English…
(2) Members of the Zimbabwe Land Commission must—
(a) be chosen for their integrity and competence in, and knowledge and understanding of, the best practices in land management and administration; and
(b) reflect the diversity of Zimbabwe’s population, in particular its regional interests and gender balance.
… (Sec. 296)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
Eswatini
- English(1) Women have the right to equal treatment with men and that right shall include equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities.
(2) Subject to the availability of resources, the Government shall provide facilities and opportunities necessary to enhance the welfare of women to enable them to realise their full potential and advancement.
… (Sec. 28)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
South Sudan
- English1. The National Government shall establish independent institutions and commissions as provided for by this Constitution. Such institutions and commissions shall perform their functions and duties impartially and without interference from any person or authority.
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3. The National Government shall ensure that at least twenty-five percent of the membership of each of these institutions and commissions shall be women. (Art. 142)