Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights in UAE

Women’s Rights in UAE

In the UAE, gender equality is a top priority, standing out in the Arab world according to the 2023 Global Gender Gap report. Women and men enjoy equal rights in everything from education to job opportunities. Moreover, women play an active role in diplomacy, with 42.5% serving in the diplomatic corps, including eleven Emirati women serving as ambassadors and consuls general. Here are the major women’s rights as mentioned below....

Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in UAE

UAE ranks first in gender equality in the Gulf but 49th globally, highlighting contradictions. Despite progress, UAE maintains a highly traditional culture. The country has signed progressive international treaties for women’s rights but faces challenges in implementation. Women have constitutional rights equal to men but lack protection in key areas. Women can vote, drive, own property, work, and access education, though approval from guardians may be required. Expat women in UAE should be aware of legal nuances and rights, despite cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi feeling familiar....

Attitudes Towards Women in UAE

The UAE holds the top position worldwide for its treatment of women with respect, as evidenced by various indicators. Instances of street harassment are practically unheard of in the country, creating a safer environment for women. Many expatriates report feeling significantly safer in the UAE compared to their home countries, attributing this to the absence of street harassment. Whether it is walking down the street at 3 am or taking a late-night taxi, women in the UAE experience minimal interactions or threats from strangers. There is a prevailing narrative in the Emirates that emphasizes the protection and elevation of women, contributing to a culture of respect and safety....

Women’s Political Rights in UAE

The UAE is not a democracy, so Emiratis do not elect heads of state. However, since 2006, the government has allowed both men and women to vote or run for the Federal National Council (FNC). In 2015, nearly a quarter of a million people participated in the elections, with almost half of them being women. The FNC comprises 40 seats, half of which are elected by voters and the other half appointed by representatives of the Emirates. In the 2015 elections, 330 candidates competed, with 20% of them being women. One woman won through the elections, and eight others were appointed, making the overall representation of women in the FNC 20%. For the 2019 election, the President mandated that half of the FNC members must be women....

Women’s Economic Rights in UAE

Women in the UAE receive equal pay for equal work, and they have the freedom to pursue jobs of their choice, including in the government, though with the consent of their guardian, typically their father. Approximately two-thirds of public sector jobs are held by women, and they constitute around 40% of the general workforce. Pregnant women are entitled to paid maternity leave, although the duration and pay rate vary depending on the employer, with no official paternal leave policy in place. Women can establish businesses freely in the UAE, with recent initiatives supporting female entrepreneurship, exemplified by groups like Womena driving the discourse. Currently, women entrepreneurs account for 10% of the UAE’s private sector and hold 15% of board seats in chambers of commerce and industry across the nation. Emirati women have the right to purchase property and secure mortgages, with statistics showing that 30% of property in Dubai is owned by women. However, it is advisable for women to draft wills due to variations in inheritance under Islamic law, where male heirs typically receive higher percentages unless stated otherwise in written directives....

Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights in UAE

Healthcare for women in the UAE is widely accessible, with plenty of specialized and general hospitals offering almost any kind of treatment. The maternal mortality rate in the UAE is about 6 deaths per 100,000 births, similar to that of the United States. Abortion is illegal and criminalized in the UAE, except in very specific instances that are difficult to prove. Emirati women are generally living longer than ever before, but their health isn’t always optimal. Many Emirati women suffer from high rates of Vitamin D deficiency and obesity, leading to reproductive and general health complications....

Women’s Educational Rights in UAE

The UAE boasts a high literacy rate of around 95% for both men and women. Women have access to education at all levels, from primary to secondary school. After secondary school, a significant 77% of Emirati women enroll in higher education. Women constitute a substantial 70% of all university graduates in the UAE....

Women’s Freedom From Violence in UAE

The UAE has ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and considers gender equality a top priority, yet government policies often fall short of these ideals. Domestic violence is legal in the UAE due to Islamic principles allowing husbands to discipline their wives and children, leading to police sometimes dismissing reports as private matters. Women are obligated to obey their husbands, and rape victims seeking support risk being charged with illicit sex, reflecting shortcomings in women’s rights compared to global standards. Emirati law, rooted in Islamic principles, applies to everyone in the country, resulting in imbalanced rights in cases such as custody and divorce disputes. Instances exist where both parties in assault accusations, such as husbands and wives, face punishment, highlighting the need for expats to understand their rights and have an exit strategy. Marriage, family, and divorce laws in the UAE can be confusing, with men permitted to marry up to four wives and unilaterally divorce them, while wives require a court order for divorce under limited conditions. Women working without their husband’s consent may be viewed as misbehaving, and custody matters post-divorce are crucial considerations for expats, with wives having limited custody rights after certain ages. Forced marriages are NOT documented, but arranged marriages are common, and a woman’s male guardian must approve of her marriage before it can proceed....

Summary – Women’s rights in UAE

FAQs on Women’s rights in UAE...

FAQs on Women’s rights in UAE

What are the rights of women in the UAE?...