Kuwait City

Kuwait / Kuwait City

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Kuwait, many forms of contraception are legal and available. You can purchase condoms and birth control pills at pharmacies without a prescription. However, for other forms of birth control, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.

In 2015, it was estimated that about 56% of Kuwaiti women (who were married/in unions and between the ages of 15 to 49) used some form of birth control, including traditional methods, which was slightly lower than the Western Asian average (58% of women using contraceptives). It was found that about 16% of women had unmet family planning needs, which was slightly higher than the Western Asian average (13% had unmet needs). Furthermore, about 62% of Kuwaiti women had their family planning needs satisfied by modern methods, as compared to about 54.5% in Western Asia as a whole.

Costs

The cost of birth control pills in Kuwait is about 4 Kuwaiti dinar, which is about $13 U.S. dollars (in 2016).

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Kuwait, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available in pharmacies, however a prescription is required. We are still gathering more information around the laws and general accessibility of ECPs in Kuwait -- more information is needed.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can supposedly purchase emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) in Kuwaiti pharmacies, but a prescription is required. One of the brands you can expect to find is NorLevo 1.5mg, which is a Levonorgestrel-based pill and produced by a French pharmaceutical company.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Laws & Social Stigmas

If you are visiting Kuwait as a short-term traveler or tourist, there are no restrictions related to HIV status. You will not be asked for a medical certificate or proof of your status upon entering the country. However, if you want to stay for longer than 90 days (i.e. obtain a work/student/residency permit), you will be required to take an HIV test. If you test as HIV-positive, the residence permit application will be withdrawn and you will need to leave the country. If you do not leave the country, you will be deported.

In Kuwait, it is estimated that less than 1000 people are living with HIV, according to 2017 UNAIDS data. In total, about 64% of adults who are living with HIV are on ART (HIV treatment).

Support

• UNAIDS Kuwait

Pregnancy

Laws & Social Stigmas

If a woman were to have any OB/GYN issues, she's required to see a female doctor. If a pregnant woman goes to a hospital in Kuwait to give birth, she's going to be asked upon admission for her marriage certificate. If she can't produce one, she and the father will be arrested and most likely deported. The baby is taken by the state.

List of Additional Resources

• Click here to learn about LGBTQ rights and laws in Kuwait. It is important to understand that homosexuality is illegal in Kuwait and it is illegal to change gender, as of 2019. There are no laws to protect LGBTQ from housing or employment discrimination.
• Union of Kuwaiti Women Associations: "Kuwaiti Union of Women’s Associations is a modern configuration, was established in 1994 but derives its roots from the deep richness of Kuwaiti society, many women’s associations establish some back to the beginning of the sixties, following the independence of the State of Kuwait."
• Ilokana Women's Organization in Kuwait: "A newly organized organization exclusively for charity purposes only." Address: Salhiya Tower, Kuwait City. Call: +965 6038 4844