Life as a woman in UAE

Moving to a new place may be intimidating, especially as a woman. As much as we may attempt to deny it, women confront distinct difficulties and obstacles than males, and safety and equality are generally more important. Dubai is a contemporary metropolis that is rapidly evolving and adapting to the demands of its hundreds of nationalities. However, the many myths and stories about the UAE that you may have heard might make it difficult to picture living as a woman here. 

Women in Dubai are frequently asked questions such as, "Can you drive?" “Are you required to wear a burqa?” “Do you have a sense of oppression?” and the list continues on and on. Many of the women in this city hold prominent positions and run profitable companies.

Being able to immerse oneself in a completely new culture and way of life is part of the excitement and experience of going to another nation to live and work. It is beneficial to completely embrace it, mix with the locals rather than simply the ex-pat community, and integrate into community life.

However, it is critical to be conscious of any significant cultural differences and attitudes that may impact day-to-day living. This is especially true for women relocating to the United Arab Emirates, where social norms regarding women may differ from those in other countries.

Day-to-day equality for women is guaranteed by law: the UAE Constitution provides equal rights for men and women. Women are often treated with dignity and as equal partners.

Workplace harassment is uncommon, and if an employee has a problem, there are resources available to help them. Discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or faith is illegal under national law, and such behavior is thoroughly investigated and appropriate punishment is taken. 

It is no secret that the workplace can be challenging for women. Many women believe they are not given the same opportunities or promotions as males, and that the glass ceiling — a term developed to describe an informally accepted obstacle to professional progress, mainly impacting women and members of minorities — is preventing equal compensation for everyone.

Despite conventional gender norms in the Middle East, which see men as breadwinners and women as housewives, ex-pats are not expected to follow suit. The impact of foreign immigrants in Dubai is altering women's roles from caring for the house and family to working. However, with males accounting for three-quarters of the population, many industries continue to be dominated by men.

There are many misunderstandings about the UAE, but for most women, it's business as usual. There is no formal dress code, but the usual guideline is that shoulders and knees should be covered in public, and bikinis or other exposing clothes should be reserved for private occasions. Normal dark-colored formal clothing is often worn in business, with long skirts or pants and a shirt that covers the elbows. There is generally a visible contrast in clothing between ex-pats and native women, with the latter wearing a long, black robe called an abaya that wraps from head to toe. The UAE is also a very safe location to live. 

Petty crime is more prevalent, including pickpocketing, fraud, and sexual harassment, while firearms are rarely used. 

Check out the Mall of the Emirates on Sheikh Zayed Road and its famed indoor ski slopes if you're searching for secure, generally crime-free locations to visit in Dubai. There's also Dubai's Old Quarter and Green Plane, a domed tropical ecosystem—these famous sites are tightly watched and secured, resulting in virtually no crime.

Dubai has a far greater rate of traffic accidents than the rest of the world, and the World Health Organization says that if you're on the road in the UAE, you're about seven times more likely to be killed than if you're on the road in England. This high percentage of road deaths is due, in part, to the prevalence of speeding. Avoid being in a car or simply being a pedestrian near a car. If you need to cross a road, utilize authorized pedestrian crossings—failure to do so can result in prosecution—but bear in mind that automobiles in Dubai frequently fail to stop at marked pedestrian crossings.

In Dubai and the UAE, there are a few conventions that may see women treated differently than males. Men and women working in Dubai may discover that they are not offered handshakes6 for religious concerns, although women are more likely to be so.

There are several women-only spaces in the city, such as dedicated lineups in government offices, pools and gyms, taxis (recognized by their pink color), and metro carriages, as well as ladies evenings in clubs and pubs. These are not required, as women can simply take non-pink cabs and go to mixed-gender pubs.

Before making the big move to Dubai, there are a few rules to ponder.

The UAE recommends against being too affectionate in public — handholding is acceptable, but extended kisses and embraces are not. Being homosexual is against the law in the nation.

Sex before marriage is likewise prohibited, and there have been reports of couples being arrested for getting pregnant outside of marriage8. This is something to think about for both single women in Dubai and those who are not married to their spouses.

It is unlawful to live with someone of the opposite sex if you are not married or have a close relationship with them.

The most dangerous risk while attempting to keep safe in Dubai is not knowing or following Sharia-inspired laws—this has put uneducated foreigners in prison, with no way out.

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