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United Arab Emirates: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg.png|200px | thumb|right|]]
{| class="wikitable" style="width:200px; border:1px solid black;float:right"
|-
|colspan="8" style="text-align:center"|[[File:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg.png|300px | thumb|right|]]
|-
| '''Contraception: Over-the-Counter'''
| condoms, pills
|-
| '''Contraception: Prescription/Clinic Required'''
| IUD, injectable
|-
| '''Emergency Contraception'''
| illegal
|-
| '''STIs'''
| testing available; HIV-positive foreigners deported
|-
| '''Menstrual Products'''
| pads, tampons, cups
|-
| '''Pregnancy Law'''
| illegal to be pregnant & unmarried
|-
| '''Abortion Law'''
| generally illegal; only permitted to save life of pregnant person
|-
| '''LGBTQ Laws'''
| homosexuality illegal; gender change illegal
|-
| '''Related Pages'''
| [[Dubai]]
|-
|}


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While the UAE is very international, there are many restrictions to consider. Abortion is illegal, dedicated emergency contraception is unavailable (though you can use normal contraceptives) and you must technically be married in order to purchase contraception (though this does not seem to be enforced in most scenarios). There is little data surrounding women's sexual practices in the UAE. However, it is a radically international city, allowing a wide range of people to make their mark, despite the conservative cultural and political climate.
While the UAE is very international, there are many restrictions to consider. Abortion is illegal, dedicated emergency contraception is unavailable (though you can use normal contraceptives) and you must technically be married in order to purchase contraception (though this does not seem to be enforced in most scenarios). It is also illegal to be unmarried and pregnant -- and, if caught, a woman can face deportation (if she's foreign) or imprisonment (if she's Emirati or foreign).There is little data surrounding women's sexual practices in the UAE. However, it is a radically international country, allowing a wide range of people to make their mark, despite the conservative cultural and political climate.


==Contraception (Birth Control)== <!--T:4-->
==Contraception (Birth Control)== <!--T:4-->
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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.  
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.  


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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.  


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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 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.


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'''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=== <!--T:16-->
===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:16-->
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You can take Microval (take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex) or Neogynon (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). There's also Logynon (take ochre pills only), Microgynon-30, Nordette -- and for all of these, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later. Note that in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>
You can use some oral contraceptive pills (birth control pills) as emergency contraception. You can take Microval (take 50 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex) or Neogynon (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). There's also Logynon (take ochre pills only), Microgynon-30, Nordette -- and for all of these, take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later. Note that in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref>


===Costs=== <!--T:20-->
===Costs=== <!--T:20-->
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As reported by Emirates 24/7: "A friendly voice over the phone informed this reporter that HIV testing was a very normal procedure in Dubai, with a simple blood test was all it took to determine your fate. The questions were being posed to a staff member of one of the leading medical clinics in Dubai, which, among other lab work, specialises in STD testing. However, as soon as this reporter quizzed about the standard procedure adopted if a person tested positive for HIV, the call was immediately transferred to another member of staff, who in a hushed tone, informed us that results would be strictly between doctor and patient for an extra fee. When probed further, the helpful staff member assured us that no information would be leaked out to any ‘official authority’ considering the testing was done on the premises itself and confidentiality would be adopted." (Source: [http://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle/health/hiv-don-t-worry-some-uae-clinics-won-t-tell-authorities-2012-02-06-1.441409 HIV+? Don't worry, some UAE clinics won't tell authorities])
Legally, foreigners who test positive for HIV in the UAE can be deported or denied residence permits.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=189 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref>
 
However, as reported by Emirates 24/7: "A friendly voice over the phone informed this reporter that HIV testing was a very normal procedure in Dubai, with a simple blood test was all it took to determine your fate. The questions were being posed to a staff member of one of the leading medical clinics in Dubai, which, among other lab work, specialises in STD testing. However, as soon as this reporter quizzed about the standard procedure adopted if a person tested positive for HIV, the call was immediately transferred to another member of staff, who in a hushed tone, informed us that results would be strictly between doctor and patient for an extra fee. When probed further, the helpful staff member assured us that no information would be leaked out to any ‘official authority’ considering the testing was done on the premises itself and confidentiality would be adopted." (Source: [http://www.emirates247.com/lifestyle/health/hiv-don-t-worry-some-uae-clinics-won-t-tell-authorities-2012-02-06-1.441409 HIV+? Don't worry, some UAE clinics won't tell authorities])


===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:25-->
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== <!--T:25-->
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==Medications & Vaccines== <!--T:28-->
==Medications & Vaccines== <!--T:28-->
[[File:Dubai pharmacy 04.jpg|300px | thumb|left|'''Pharmacy in street of Dubai''']]


===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:29-->
===Laws & Social Stigmas=== <!--T:29-->
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* [http://www.mohap.gov.ae/ The Ministry of Health and Prevention]: The Ministry of Health and Prevention is the ministry of the Government of United Arab Emirates which is responsible for the implementation of health care policy.
* [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.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.equaldex.com/region/united-arab-emirates Equaldex - United Arab Emirates] - This webpage provides useful information on LGBT rights in the UAE.

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