Tax calculatorDubai
Living as a woman in Dubai
If you’re considering moving to Dubai, you may have questions about women’s rights and what it’s like to be a woman in the UAE. It’s important to note that the UAE is a cosmopolitan country that welcomes people of all nationalities and genders alike.
While traditional values are important, women in Dubai and throughout the UAE actively participate in public life and have access to many educational and professional opportunities. Our aim is to clarify common misconceptions about women’s rights in Dubai and to highlight the true rights and opportunities available to women. In the Emirates, women enjoy equal rights with men and have many opportunities to succeed both in Dubai and the wider UAE.
Our information and advice can help you in your decision to move to Dubai and show you that as a woman, you can realise your goals and dreams in the Emirates.
Table of Contents
- Labor Laws and Women’s Rights in Dubai
- Women in Dubai and Maternity
- Living as a Woman in Dubai and Financial Affairs
- Women in Politics
- Marriage and Divorce in Dubai
- Women in Dubai, Education, and Career
- Life as a Woman in Dubai and Healthcare in the UAE
- Life as a Woman in Dubai – Conclusion
- Privacy Management Group is Your Local Partner
Labor Laws and Women’s Rights in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates (DUBAI) have made impressive progress in terms of gender equality in recent years. The Labour Law ensures equal pay for women and men performing the same work.
The Gender Balance Council is committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution in leadership positions. The role of women in the economy and in the government of the UAE is also notable on an international scale. The United Arab Emirates were praised in the Emirati 2022 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum for their progress in gender equality in the region and ranked first in the MENA region in the 2021 WPS Index by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
In fact, women hold leadership positions in some of the country’s most important sectors, such as the national aerospace sector and the nuclear sector. The domestically based high-tech aircraft manufacturer STRATA even reports that 86% of its national workforce are women.
Women in Dubai and Maternity
Maternity and work are not contradictory in Dubai, and thus women in both the public and private sectors are entitled to maternity benefits. Furthermore, women in public sector jobs with permanent positions are entitled to three months of maternity leave with full pay. They can also apply for maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected delivery date and add up to 120 days of annual and unpaid leave.
One year after giving birth, women receive two hours of reduced working hours to nurse their child at the beginning or end of the workday. If a woman in Dubai gives birth to a child with special needs, she is entitled to a care leave from the end of the maternity leave until the child is 1 year old.
Different rules apply in the private sector. Women in Dubai are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, of which 45 are fully paid and 15 are partially paid. They can also apply for maternity leave up to 30 days before the expected delivery date and take an additional 45 days of unpaid leave if they are ill due to pregnancy or childbirth, provided the illness is confirmed by a medical certificate.
If a baby has a disability or is ill, and a medical certificate is provided, female employees can take an additional 30 fully paid days off. After resuming work, women in Dubai are entitled to one or two additional one-hour breaks to nurse their child for 6 months from the day of delivery.
Consequently, working mothers in Dubai have the opportunity to continue their careers while enjoying their family life. Dubai and the entire United Arab Emirates continually strive to improve working conditions for women and advocate for better integration of women into the workforce.
Living as a Woman in Dubai and Financial Affairs
The financial rights of women in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates are diverse. Women have the right to start a business, purchase property, and take out mortgages, just like men.
Approximately 10% of all private sector companies in the United Arab Emirates are owned by women, many of whom manage projects worth several billion US dollars. The Forbes list of the 100 most powerful Arab businesswomen includes over 20 Emirati women, ranking them among the most successful businesswomen in the region.
However, to avoid potential issues, it is important to familiarise yourself with local laws. All courts adhere to Sharia in matters of inheritance, which means distribution may be different than in your home country.
If a foreign national does not wish to divide their estate according to Sharia law, they can select beneficiaries and draft a will. Several steps should be taken, such as drafting with a lawyer in Dubai, choosing an executor and guardian, and translating the document into Arabic for submission to the courts-in-dubai.
Alternatively, the will can be registered at the DIFC Wills Service Center.
Women in Politics
In the United Arab Emirates, citizens do not elect the leaders of the emirates or the country, as it is not a democratic state. However, since 2006, women have had the right to stand as candidates in the Federal National Council (FNC).
To promote gender balance, the Gender Balance Council of the United Arab Emirates is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to improve gender distribution. Currently, 50% of the members of the FNC are women.
Currently, about one third of the members of the Emirates’ cabinet are women, and since 2009, women in the United Arab Emirates have also been appointed as ambassadors. Since 2015, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have offered diplomatic training programs, with 60% of the graduates being female.
Marriage and Divorce in Dubai
The law in Dubai and throughout the UAE stipulates that the minimum age for marriage is 18 years. However, according to the Quran, marriage is permitted upon reaching puberty, and with the consent of a judge, minors under 18 years old can also marry.
While men in the United Arab Emirates can easily divorce, women must apply for a court order. Once they have been granted custody of their children, this custody remains until the age of eleven for boys and thirteen for girls. After this, regardless of his citizenship or place of residence, the ex-husband has the right to assume full custody.
Women in the Emirates are increasingly striving for self-realization, and through education and employment, they have become largely independent. They are no longer limited to a role as housewives. It is also worth mentioning that couple therapies are very popular in the United Arab Emirates to solve family problems and avoid divorces.
Foreigners in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates should be aware that individuals of any nationality and religion have the right to file for their divorce. However, it is required that the couple be resident in the Emirates for at least six months before filing for divorce. If no agreement is reached, the divorce will be finalized in court.
Women in Dubai, Education, and Career
Women in Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates have the right to complete secondary school and enroll in universities. The literacy rate among women in the United Arab Emirates is approximately 96%.
Approximately 77% of women in the Emirates are enrolled in higher education, with almost 70% of them being graduates of Emirati universities. At public universities, nearly two-thirds of students are women, while about 50% of students at private universities are female.
Since 2014, women in Dubai and throughout the United Arab Emirates have also had access to the first military academy for women, which provides top-notch education and leadership development. It is worth mentioning that currently, in the United Arab Emirates, there are 4 women working in the special forces of the security forces, out of over 30 women.
Life as a Woman in Dubai and Healthcare in the UAE
The healthcare system in the UAE is considered one of the best in the region, providing excellent care for both local and foreign women. So, you can rest assured that you don’t have to worry about your health when living in Dubai or any other emirate.
Regular cancer screening, mental health support groups, and heart health checks are among the most important and frequently needed examinations for women. Both public and private healthcare centers offer websites where women can schedule appointments by phone or online and choose packages tailored to their individual needs.
The average life expectancy for women in the United Arab Emirates is 78 years and for men is 76 years. However, one of the biggest health issues in the country is vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to weakened immune systems, cardiovascular problems, infertility, diabetes, and even cancer. Therefore, women should undergo regular check-ups, often covered by health insurance.
Today, Dubai offers women an excellent environment with diverse opportunities. Whether in professional life, starting a business, or daily life – female expatriates find reliable legal frameworks, free access to education, modern healthcare, a high level of safety, and an open society.
More and more women are taking on responsible positions in business and politics, which is a clear signal of equality. For women who wish to live in Dubai, this means: life in one of the safest cities in the world with great potential for personal and professional development.
Privacy Management Group is Your Local Partner
If you are considering moving to Dubai as a woman and still have unanswered questions or concerns, feel free to contact us. We at Privacy Management Group are here to assist you and support you in your endeavor to lead a successful and relaxed life in Dubai.
We are happy to assist!
for a free consultation
with one of our experts
 – Flexibel. Wirtschaftlich. International.vg "Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) – Flexible. Economic. International.")