Dubai for women; 6 HONEST things you need to know

The Middle East has many stereotypes, making you wonder what life is really like in Dubai for women. How are women in Dubai treated? What is work life like for women and will I have freedom as a woman?

I’ve lived in Dubai as a single female in Dubai, solo travelled across the Gulf and now I go between Dubai and Riyadh with a toddler in towe as a married woman.

So I can 100% tell you from both perspectives what living in Dubai as a woman is truly like. That fact I’ve been here for over 10 years, crazy!

Overall, what is it like in Dubai for women?

In Dubai, I have never felt unsafe as a woman. In fact, I feel 100% safer there than I do in London or the UK and all of the countries I’ve travelled to. Which is a lot! I’ve lived in 5 different countries and travelled to over 40 countries.

It’s hard to put the whole experience into a single paragraph but the UAE is very accepting of everyone and I’ve certainly never felt like I lacked any sort of freedom as a woman. You can jog outside, you can date, be a career woman, a stay at home mum with the kids. Dubai offers an amazing lifestyle for both.

You can walk unafraid late at night and even I’ve had people give me a lift if they’ve seen me walking alone with no intentions other than a kind gesture.

Men overall are incredibly respectful to women and you’ll quickly get used to the princess treatment. That’s being picked up, dropped off and being taken out without a man trying anything on the first date or asking to come to his to watch a film.

Of course there are men who aren’t like that but the vast majority are very respectful in how they treat women and much more so than I’ve found in the West.

In the work environment, I’ve found it can be more mixed however after working in Canary Wharf in London, any company can have a more “masculine” environment and it’s about finding the right company for you, regardless of where you live.

1) Does Dubai have women’s rights?

Despite what you’ve seen in the news, Dubai is an extremely safe space for women and has many laws that help with gender equality such as legally women must receive equal pay to men.

There are also programs for Emirati women to help them start businesses and help more Emirati women to achieve senior positions in various fields. The UAE has many female ministers in government too, more than some Western countries.

2) Is it safe to travel to Dubai as a woman?

Yes, Dubai is extremely safe for women and is in fact safer than most Western countries and nations. You can happily travel solo as a female solo traveller in Dubai. It’s also been ranked as the world’s safest country for women to walk at night by Gallup’s Law and Order Report. Of course with any country, you should take precautions but Dubai has a very high safety index overall and low crime rates.

3) Can a woman drive in Dubai?

Yes women can drive in Dubai, both as residents and tourists. I have always been able to drive in Dubai as a female! If you already have an existing license from the US, UK or other European countries. You can easily convert your driving license to a UAE license once you have your Emirates ID by taking a medical test and paying a fee.

You’ll also find women only taxis with female taxi drivers available in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia is next door to UAE and they stopped the ban on women driving in 2018, so that may be why there is some confusion over whether women can drive in the UAE!

4) What is life in Dubai as a woman like?

Life in Dubai as a woman can be like any other country you would expect in the West, you have the freedom to enjoy your life and work. There are many opportunities in the workplace and various activities for women.

The sunny weather of Dubai is great to enjoy for most of the year and you can wear the typical outfits you would normally wear in a hot country.

For more information on the female dress code Dubai, check out my article covering what to wear where in Dubai!

5) What expat Dubai woman jobs are there?

Every job you can think of elsewhere in the world is available as a job for women in Dubai. So depending on your experience and sector, you can apply for similar roles to your home country.

If you are moving with your husband and will be sponsored by him, then youn will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to work.

For the best ways to find a job in Dubai, check out my other article here!

6) Can females drink in Dubai?

Yes females can drink in Dubai! The drinking laws of Dubai apply to both men and women equally. Tourists and residents regardless of gender can drink alcohol in Dubai.

Even more surprisingly, Dubai can be very affordable for women to drink! As you’ll find many venues participating in ladies nights where alcohol is either free or cheaper for women on selected nights.

If you want to know more about Dubai’s alcohol laws, check out my full guide here

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Some other articles you may find helpful:

What can I wear as a woman in Dubai and what is the Dubai woman dress code?
Alcohol laws in Dubai; do I need a license? Can I get arrested? & More!
Is Dubai expensive to live? What is the cost of living in Dubai? Find out here
Thinking of moving to Dubai? Start here for all the guides to moving to Dubai

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Dubai has something special in store for every female traveller. With its diverse population from around the world, friendly locals, and vibrant culture, there’s no better city in the world to explore as a woman than Dubai.

I hope this guide has helped you to feel more confident to travel to Dubai and what Dubai for women is like! So whether you’re considering to move or just want to enjoy an amazing vacation in Dubai! I wish you the best and safe travels!

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