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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)
- English
(1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (5), (6) and (9) of this section, no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.
…
(4) In this section, the expression “discriminatory” means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, 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.
(5) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any law so far as that law makes provision-
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(f) for the advancement of the more disadvantaged members of the community; or
(g) where persons of any such description as is mentioned in the preceding subsection 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. 15)2
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
Equality of the sexes is promoted in societal activity and working life, especially in the determination of pay and the other terms of employment, as provided in more detail by an Act. (Sec. 6) - Finnish…
Sukupuolten tasa-arvoa edistetään yhteiskunnallisessa toiminnassa sekä työelämässä, erityisesti palkkauksesta ja muista palvelussuhteen ehdoista määrättäessä, sen mukaan kuin lailla tarkemmin säädetään. (6 §) - Swedish…
Jämställdhet mellan könen i samhällelig verksamhet och i arbetslivet främjas enligt vad som närmare bestäms genom lag, särskilt vad gäller lönesättning och andra anställningsvillkor. (6 §)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- EnglishThe woman has the same rights as the man.
The law guarantees parity and assures the promotion as well as the representativeness of women in all political, elective and administrative functions. (Art. 17) - FrenchLa femme a les mêmes droits que l’homme.
La loi garantit la parité et assure la promotion ainsi que la représentativité de la femme à toutes les fonctions politiques, électives et administratives. (Art. 17)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- 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)
- English(1) The proceedings of the Senate and the National Assembly are regulated by rules known as Standing Orders, which are made by the Houses individually or jointly on the recommendation of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders.
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(4) Any committee established by or under Standing Orders must reflect, as closely as possible, the political and gender composition of Parliament or of the House to which the Standing Orders apply. (Sec. 139)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English1. The Republic of Vanuatu recognises, that, subject to any restrictions imposed by law on non-citizens and holders of dual citizenship who are not indigenous or naturalised citizens, all persons are entitled to the following fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual without discrimination on the grounds of race, place of origin, religious or traditional beliefs, political opinions, language or sex but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and to the legitimate public interest in defence, safety, public order, welfare and health-
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k. equal treatment under the law or administrative action, except that no law shall be inconsistent with this sub-paragraph insofar as it makes provision for the special benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of females, children and young persons, members of under-privileged groups or inhabitants of less developed areas.
… (Art. 5) - French1) Sous réserve des restrictions que la Loi peut imposer aux non-citoyens et aux détenteurs de la double nationalité qui ne sont pas indigènes ou citoyens naturalisés et dans le respect des droits et libertés d'autrui et de l'intérêt public légitime en matière de défense, de sécurité, d'ordre public, de prospérité et de santé, la République de Vanuatu reconnaît que toute personne, sans distinction de race, lieu d'origine, croyances religieuses ou traditionnelles, opinions politiques, langue ou sexe jouit des droits fondamentaux et les libertés individuelles suivants:
...
k) un traitement égal devant la Loi ou l'action administrative, étant entendu qu'une loi ne contrevient pas aux dispositions du présent alinéa dans la mesure où elle prévoit des dispositions pour le bénéfice particulier, le bien-être, la protection ou l'amélioration des conditions des femmes, des enfants et des jeunes, des membres de catégories défavorisées, ou des habitants de zones moins développées.
... (Art. 5)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English1. The State shall promote, support and value the development of women, and shall encourage their growing role in society, in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life of the country.
2. The State shall recognise and hold in high esteem the participation of women in the national liberation struggle and in the defence of sovereignty and democracy. (Art. 122) - Portuguese1. O Estado promove, apoia e valoriza o desenvolvimento da mulher e incentiva o seu papel crescente na sociedade, em todas as esferas da actividade política, económica, social e cultural do país.
2. O Estado reconhece e valoriza a participação da mulher na luta de libertação nacional, pela defesa da soberania e pela democracia. (Art. 122)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
(11) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of a commission4 shall not be of the same gender.
… (Art. 250) - Swahili…
(11) Mwenyekiti na makamu mwenyekiti wa tume hawatakuwa wa jinsia moja.
… (Kifungu cha 250)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- EnglishThe State works to promote the political rights of women by increasing their chances of access to representation in elected assemblies.
Detailed rules for the application of this Article are set forth in the law. (Art. 36) - FrenchL’Etat œuvre à la promotion des droits politiques de la femme en augmentant ses chances d’accès à la représentation dans les assemblées élues.
Les modalités d’application de cet article sont fixées par la loi. (Art. 36)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
The judges of the National Court of Justice shall be elected by the Judiciary Council in conformity with a procedure entailing a competitive merit-based examination, subject to challenge and social monitoring. Parity between men and women shall be fostered. (Art. 183) - Spanish…
Las juezas y jueces de la Corte Nacional de Justicia serán elegidos por el Consejo de la Judicatura conforme a un procedimiento con concurso de oposición y méritos, impugnación y control social. Se propenderá a la paridad entre mujer y hombre. (Art. 183)