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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. Lesotho shall adopt policies aimed at promoting a society based on equality and justice for all its citizens regardless of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
2. In particular, the State shall take appropriate measures in order to promote equality of opportunity for the disadvantaged groups in the society to enable them to participate fully in all spheres of public life. (Sec. 26)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
2. Concerning the basis of the principle of equality of the woman before the law, the public powers shall adopt legal initiatives and mechanisms to favor the adequate representation and participation of the woman in the provision of the offices [cargos] and other functions in all the institutions of the State.
… (Art. 13) - Spanish…
2. Sobre la base del principio de la igualdad de la mujer ante la ley, los poderes públicos adoptarán iniciativas legales y mecanismos para favorecer la adecuada representación y participación de la Mujer en el desempeño de los cargos y demás funciones en todas las Instituciones del Estado.
… (Art. 13) - French…
2. Conformément au principe d'égalité des femmes devant la loi, les pouvoirs publics prendront des initiatives en vue de l'adoption de lois et de mécanismes favorisant la représentation et participation adéquates des femmes dans l'exercice des charges et autres fonctions à l'intérieur de l'ensemble des institutions de l'État.
… (Art. 13)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- EnglishThe National and state governments shall have legislative and executive competences on any of the matters listed below:
…
18. Empowerment of women;
19. Gender policy;
… (Schedule (C): Concurrent Powers)
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)
- English
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(4) In appointing Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the President must be guided by considerations of regional and gender balance.
… (Sec. 104)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English
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Reaffirming our adherence and our attachment to the Conventions of the United Nations on the Rights of the Child and on the Rights of Women, particularly to the objective of the parity of man-woman representation within the institutions of the country as well as to the international instruments concerning the protection and promotion of human rights;
… (Preamble)3 - French
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Réaffirmant notre adhésion et notre attachement à la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme, à la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples, aux Conventions des Nations Unies sur les Droits de l’Enfant et sur les Droits de la Femme, particulièrement à l’objectif de la parité de représentation homme-femme au sein des institutions du pays ainsi qu’aux instruments internationaux relatifs à la protection et à la promotion des droits humains;
… (Préambule)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- 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)
- 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...
(2) The state shall guarantee to both men and women the equal right to enjoy all civil, political, social, cultural, and economic rights, including the right to equal pay for equal work, and other professional benefits.
(3) The state shall guarantee women’s rights in all fields through positive discrimination.
... (Art. 48) - Arabic...
2.تكفل الدولة للرجال و النساء الحق المتساوي في التمتع بكل الحقوق المدنية والسياسية والإجتماعية والثقافية والإقتصادية بما فيها الحق في الأجر المتساوي للعمل المتساوي والمزايا الوظيفية الاخري
3. تضمن الدولة حقوق المرأة في جميع المجالات وتعززها من خلال التمييز الإيجابي.
(الماده 49)
Affirmative Action (Broadly)
- English…
(5) The State shall afford equality of economic opportunity to all citizens and, in particular, the State shall take all necessary steps so as to ensure the full integration of women into the mainstream of economic development.
… (Sec. 59)