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===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===


Although premarital sex is illegal in the UAE, you can typically buy oral contraceptives as a single woman in Dubai. While you technically need to be married to use condoms, this does not seem to be widely enforced, and you should be able to purchase condoms at supermarkets, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. Note that this is not the case throughout UAE, and you will need to show proof of marriage in places like Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, there have been some reported cases of the following: women being asked for marriage certificates before buying contraception, women being asked for their husband's permission before receiving contraception, and women being reported by pharmacists to authorities for buying contraception while being unmarried. These stories have been especially covered in the British media. Yet many single women of Dubai report little to no problems when purchasing contraception and [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/pharmacists-debunk-claims-that-unmarried-women-cannot-buy-contraceptives-in-dubai Dubai pharmacists have contested this story]. However, it may be recommended to wear a "wedding ring" if you are indeed single and wish to purchase contraception to avoid questioning or slut-shaming. See this [https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/51de9472e4b086e88379b397/419910 Guardian article] for details.  
You can buy oral contraceptives (birth control pills) without a prescription in the United Arab Emirates.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> No matter if you're married or single, locals report that you can buy birth control pills. Although premarital sex is illegal in the UAE, you can typically buy pills as a single woman in Dubai.  


The same holds true for condoms. While you technically need to be married to use condoms, this does not seem to be widely enforced, and you should be able to purchase condoms at supermarkets, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. Note that this is not the case throughout UAE, and you will need to show proof of marriage in places like Abu Dhabi.  
The same holds true for condoms. While you technically need to be married to use condoms, this does not seem to be widely enforced, and you should be able to purchase condoms at supermarkets, gas stations, grocery stores and pharmacies. Note that this is not the case throughout UAE, and you will need to show proof of marriage in places like Abu Dhabi.  


In Dubai, there have been some reported cases of the following: women being asked for marriage certificates before buying contraception, women being asked for their husband's permission before receiving contraception, and women being reported by pharmacists to authorities for buying contraception while being unmarried. These stories have been especially covered in the British media. Yet many single women of Dubai report little to no problems when purchasing contraception and [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/pharmacists-debunk-claims-that-unmarried-women-cannot-buy-contraceptives-in-dubai Dubai pharmacists have contested this story]. However, it may be recommended to wear a "wedding ring" if you are indeed single and wish to purchase contraception to avoid questioning or slut-shaming. See this [https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/51de9472e4b086e88379b397/419910 Guardian article] for details.
In Dubai, there have been some reported cases of the following: women being asked for marriage certificates before buying contraception, women being asked for their husband's permission before receiving contraception, and women being reported by pharmacists to authorities for buying contraception while being unmarried. These stories have been especially covered in the British media. Yet many single women of Dubai report little to no problems when purchasing contraception [http://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/pharmacists-debunk-claims-that-unmarried-women-cannot-buy-contraceptives-in-dubai Dubai pharmacists have contested this story]. However, it may be recommended to wear a "wedding ring" if you are indeed single and wish to purchase contraception to avoid questioning or slut-shaming. See this [https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/51de9472e4b086e88379b397/419910 Guardian article] for details.


Generally, oral contraceptives seem to be widely used in the UAE. In 2012, a study of 500 women found that oral birth control pills were the most common form of contraception, and 84% of women did not object to the use of contraceptives. In a 2015 UN report, it was found that 48.1% of UAE women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use some form of contraception, which may include modern methods (such as condoms, pills, implants, etc) or traditional methods (such as the rhythm method).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref>
Generally, oral contraceptives seem to be widely used in the UAE. In 2012, a study of 500 women found that oral birth control pills were the most common form of contraception, and 84% of women did not object to the use of contraceptives. In a 2015 UN report, it was found that 48.1% of UAE women (who are married/in unions and of reproductive age) use some form of contraception, which may include modern methods (such as condoms, pills, implants, etc) or traditional methods (such as the rhythm method).<ref>[http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf Trends in Contraceptive Use 2015]</ref>
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


It seems that Yasmin, Microval, Neogynon, Logynon, Microgynon-30, Cerazette (the mini-pill) and Nordette are common oral contraceptives in Dubai. You can check out the options at Boots, one of the largest pharmacies in Dubai, which can often be found in malls.
* For a complete list of contraceptive options available in the UAE, click [http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AE here].
* There are over 20 '''birth control pill''' brands registered in the UAE, all of which come from major pharmaceutical companies like Janssen-Cilag, Merck, Pfizer and Bayer. It's common for locals to buy birth control pills at Boots, one of the largest pharmacy chains in Dubai, which can be often found in malls. Some of the birth control brands you can expect to see are Cerazette,<ref>[Information provided by Dubai local]</ref> Cilest, Diane, Diane-35, Exluton, Femulen, Gynera, Loestrin 20, Loestrin 30, Logynon, Marvelon, Microgynon, Microgynon-30, Micronor, Microval, Minulet, Nordette, Ortho Novum 1/50, Ovulen 50, Ovysmen, Trinordiol, Trinordiol 21, Trinovum, Yaz and Yasmin.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AE IPPF UAE]</ref>
* If you want an '''IUD''', you can find Mirena in the UAE.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AE IPPF UAE]</ref>
* If you want a '''contraceptive shot/injectable''', you can find Depo-Provera SAS 150mg/ml in the UAE.<ref>[http://contraceptive.ippf.org/search?search.searchtext=&search.component=&search.countrycode=AE IPPF UAE]</ref>
* We're not sure if any contraceptive patches or contraceptive implants are registered or available in the UAE. If you know of any, please add the info to this page.


===Costs===
===Costs===


A few years ago, you could get a one month supply of birth control for about $5, but we'll need some more updated information.
A few years ago, you could get a one month supply of birth control for about $5, but we'll need some more updated information (information provided in 2016/2017).


==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)==
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)==


'''Important Notes:''' Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC '''as soon as possible''' after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception here] and [http://ec.princeton.edu/info/ecp.html here].
'''Important Notes:''' Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC '''as soon as possible''' after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception here] and [http://ec.princeton.edu/info/ecp.html here]. Copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex.


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
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==Medications & Vaccines==
==Medications & Vaccines==
[[File:Dubai pharmacy 04.jpg|400px | thumb|left|'''Pharmacy in street of Dubai''']]


===Laws & Social Stigmas===
===Laws & Social Stigmas===
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


You may be able to find tampons in larger or international stores, like Carrefour, Spinney, Al Maya or Choithram, but many women report difficulty when looking for them. If you're interested in menstrual cups, you can buy DivaCups at [http://www.organicfoodsandcafe.com Organic Foods & Café] (Tel: 971 4 3384822). There appears to be no sellers of MoonCup, LadyCup or Lunette, so those brands should be bought online.
* You should be able to easily find '''pads and pantyliners''' in many stores.
* You may be able to find '''tampons''' in larger or international stores, like Carrefour, Spinney, Al Maya or Choithram, but many women report difficulty when looking for them.  
* If you're interested in '''menstrual cups''', you can buy the DivaCup at [http://www.organicfoodsandcafe.com Organic Foods & Café] (Tel: 971 4 3384822), which has three locations (Village Mall, Sheikh Zayed Road and near Dubai Media City).<ref>[http://menstrualcupmap.com/ Menstrual Cup Map]</ref> The Emirati online retailer, [https://www.desertcart.ae/searchv1?q=menstrual+cup Desert Cart], sells many brands of menstrual cups as well (and provides free shipping in the Emirates). Some of the brands they sell include DivaCup (for AED 139), Monzcare R-CUP (for AED 53), Blossom Menstrual Cup (AED 77), LENA Feminine Hygiene Cup (AED 127) and more (all prices from May 2017). While MoonCup is sold internationally in Boots pharmacies<ref>[http://www.international.boots.com/toiletries/feminine-hygiene/menstrual-cups Boots - Menstrual Cups]</ref>, we're not sure if they're sold anywhere in the UAE. However, not all menstrual cup brands are sold in the UAE. For example, if you're interested in purchasing a LadyCup, RubyCup or Lunette, we can't find any evidence of them being sold locally in the UAE, so those brands should be purchased online.


===Costs===
===Costs===
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===Costs===
===Costs===
If you are pregnant and considering getting an abortion outside the UAE, you will need to consider the following costs: transportation to the country where you will be obtaining an abortion, hotel or accommodation costs in that country, cost of the abortion in the country and the total amount of days you may need to be in the country both before and after the abortion.


==Advocacy & Counseling==
==Advocacy & Counseling==
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===What to Get & Where to Get It===
===What to Get & Where to Get It===


* Dubai Foundation for Women and Children - "The first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for victims of women & children." +971 800 111, PO Box 97727, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. http://www.dfwac.ae/
* Dubai Foundation for Women and Children - "The first licensed non-profit shelter in the UAE for women and children victims of domestic violence." +971 800 111, PO Box 97727, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. http://www.dfwac.ae/


===Costs===
===Costs===
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==List of Additional Resources==
==List of Additional Resources==


* [http://www.genderindex.org/country/united-arab-emirates Gender Index] - This webpage provides useful information on women's rights and gender equality in the UAE.
* [http://www.equaldex.com/region/united-arab-emirates Equaldex - United Arab Emirates] - This webpage provides useful information on LGBT rights in the UAE.
* [http://www.dwe.gov.ae/index.aspx Dubai Women's Establishment]: This is a government organization. "The ultimate goal and responsibility of Dubai Women Establishment is to nurture a competent generation of future women leaders by establishing the right infrastructure and platform to ensure and sustain the success and potential of UAE women."
* International Business Women’s Group Dubai - "A Networking Forum for Professional Business Women in the UAE" (http://www.ibwgdubai.com/)
* International Business Women’s Group Dubai - "A Networking Forum for Professional Business Women in the UAE" (http://www.ibwgdubai.com/)
* Swiss Ladies Dubai - Exclusively for Swiss women in Dubai (http://www.swissladiesdubai.com/)
* Swiss Ladies Dubai - Exclusively for Swiss women in Dubai (http://www.swissladiesdubai.com/)
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