- Abortion legal status
- Illegal
- Emergency number
- 999
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: worldnomads.com, hersafevoyage.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Sex outside marriage is technically illegal under UAE law, which can make some women hesitant to report a sexual assault to police; however, dedicated support foundations and helplines exist specifically to help victims navigate this safely and confidentially.
- Emergency contraception brands (ellaOne, Navela, ECinq) are sold through licensed UAE pharmacies and pharmacy websites, but stock and whether a prescription is requested can vary by branch, so it's worth calling ahead or trying more than one pharmacy if you're in a hurry.
- Regular birth control pills are widely sold in UAE pharmacies, but policies on requiring a doctor's prescription (especially for unmarried women) have tightened at some pharmacies since 2018, so bring any existing prescription or original packaging from home if you have one.
- IUDs (e.g. Mirena) are available in Abu Dhabi but require an appointment with a gynecologist for insertion — this isn't a walk-in pharmacy purchase.
- The DFWAC helpline (800 111), though headquartered in Dubai, is described as available to all residents of Dubai and across the UAE, so it can be called from Abu Dhabi as well.
- If you're at immediate risk, call 999; Abu Dhabi Police's Social Support Centre (02 657 3699) and the Family Welfare Authority (800 5354) are the main local channels for abuse and assault support.
- Abortion is illegal in Abu Dhabi/UAE by default; it is only permitted in narrowly defined cases (life-threatening risk, serious health risk, severe fetal abnormality, rape/incest with police report, or by committee-approved mutual spousal request) and always requires medical-committee sign-off.
- There is a strict 120-day pregnancy cutoff for every legal ground except immediate danger to the woman's life — if you think you may need a legal abortion, time matters and you should get medical and legal advice as early as possible.
- Expats generally need at least one year of continuous UAE residency to even apply for a legal abortion, so newer nomads/residents may not qualify locally and might need to consider traveling abroad for care.
- Attempting a self-managed or unauthorized abortion is a criminal offense in the UAE with real legal risk, not just a health risk — this applies equally to residents, tourists, and any nationality/religion.
- For general OB-GYN care (checkups, prenatal care, contraception counseling, gynaecological issues), Abu Dhabi has a wide range of well-regarded private and government hospitals with international-trained doctors and English-speaking staff, and many offer female-only doctor panels on request.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
Day-to-day catcalling or verbal harassment is generally described as rare in Abu Dhabi, with several sources noting that street-level harassment is "not culturally acceptable" and that women often draw curiosity or brief stares rather than comments. However, one travel-safety guide specifically flags that underground pedestrian walkways near the Abu Dhabi Corniche have had multiple incidents of sexual assault on women walking alone, and advises extra caution and not using them solo if avoidable.
Walking Alone at Night
Well-lit, populated nomad-frequented areas such as the Corniche, Saadiyat Island, Al Maryah Island, Yas Island, Al Reem Island, and Al Bateen are generally considered comfortable for women to walk in after dark. Areas flagged for less comfort or to avoid after dark include the Musaffah and Al Mafraq industrial zones (quiet and little tourist footfall) and the area around Hamdan Centre, which is noted for solicitation activity at night.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
Licensed metered taxis and ride-hailing apps like Careem are the recommended, widely used options and are described as reliable, with registered drivers and monitored vehicles. Women-driven "Pink Taxis" are also available in parts of the city and offer added reassurance, particularly late at night, and are priced the same as regular taxis.
Taxi Driver Etiquette and Precautions
Travel-safety guidance for the UAE specifically advises women to sit in the back seat of taxis rather than the front, and to keep conversation minimal, since even routine small talk has reportedly been misread by some drivers as over-friendliness. It is also recommended to book a taxi through a hotel or restaurant rather than hailing an unknown one, especially for solo female travelers at night.
Practical Precautions
General advice for solo women in Abu Dhabi includes dressing modestly in public (covering shoulders and knees), avoiding prolonged eye contact with strangers since friendliness can occasionally be misread as an invitation, and sharing live location or travel plans with someone when moving around at night. Sticking to busy, well-lit streets and avoiding secluded spots late at night is also commonly recommended.
Abortion Law
- Summary
- Abortion is illegal in the UAE (and Abu Dhabi specifically) by default, and is only permitted under a narrow set of legally defined exceptions that require formal medical-committee and, in some cases, prosecutorial approval. There is no 'abortion on request' option.
- Approval Process
- Requests must go through a specialized committee established within the relevant health authority, generally composed of at least three members (an obstetrician-gynaecologist, a psychiatrist, and a Public Prosecution representative). The committee must reach a decision, typically within a short statutory window, and abortions may only be performed at a licensed government or approved private health facility by a licensed OB-GYN.
- Elective Abortion
- Purely elective, non-medical termination of pregnancy remains strictly illegal in all cases; there is no legal pathway for abortion on request.
- Abortion Time Limit
- 120 days (roughly 17 weeks) of pregnancy for all grounds except an immediate, tangible threat to the woman's life, where there is no abortion time limit.
- Consent Requirements
- Since a 2024 amendment to the Medical Liability Law, only the pregnant woman's own consent is required in medically justified cases (spousal/male-relative consent is no longer required for medical grounds). If the woman cannot consent herself, a husband or, in his absence, a male guardian as defined under the Personal Status Law may consent on her behalf. Consent is waived entirely in genuine medical emergencies.
- Regulatory Classification
- illegal
- Penalties For Illegal Abortion
- Self-induced or unauthorized abortion carries criminal penalties under the UAE Penal Code, including potential imprisonment (up to around one year for the woman in a self-managed case) and fines; a doctor or third party who performs an illegal abortion faces significantly harsher penalties, including multi-year imprisonment and loss of medical license.
- Residency Requirement For Expats
- Non-citizen (expatriate) women must generally show at least one year of continuous legal residency in the UAE before a legal abortion request can even be submitted.
- Access Route Notes
- Because the legal pathway is narrow, slow (committee review) and grounds-restricted, many women — including residents and nomads — who do not meet one of the legal exceptions choose to travel outside the UAE to access abortion care. Attempting a self-managed or clandestine abortion locally is illegal and carries real legal and health risk.
Legal Grounds For Permitted Abortion
- Risk to the woman's life: permitted at any stage of pregnancy with the woman's consent alone; no abortion time limit applies in this specific case.
- Serious threat to the woman's physical or mental health (non-life-threatening): permitted, but must occur within 120 days of pregnancy.
- Severe, untreatable fetal abnormality/genetic defect: permitted with committee approval, generally within the 120-day limit.
- Pregnancy resulting from rape or incest (added under 2024 reforms): permitted, but the incident must be officially reported to and documented by the Public Prosecution, and the request must go through committee approval.
- By mutual request of spouses, subject to committee approval (a 2024 addition).
OB-GYN Options In Abu Dhabi
Corniche Hospital (Al Corniche Maternity Hospital)
- Area
- Corniche area, central Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Government specialist maternity/women's hospital
- Notes
- One of Abu Dhabi's longest-established specialist maternity and women's hospitals, commonly used for obstetric and gynaecological care.
Danat Al Emarat Women and Children Hospital
- Area
- Near Khalifa Park, central Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Private specialist women's & children's hospital
- Notes
- Dedicated women's and children's hospital offering full OB-GYN services including high-risk pregnancy care.
Burjeel Hospital (Al Najdah Street)
- Area
- Al Najdah Street, central Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Private multi-specialty hospital with OB-GYN department
- Notes
- Large private hospital with a dedicated obstetrics and gynaecology unit.
Reem Hospital
- Area
- Al Reem Island
- Type
- Private hospital, gynecology & obstetrics department
- Notes
- Reem Hospital states it has internationally board-certified OB-GYN doctors, including Dr. Aisha Al Mukhtar, and offers comprehensive prenatal care.
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)
- Area
- Central Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Government tertiary medical city, OB-GYN department
- Notes
- SSMC describes an OBGYN department with an international, board-certified consultant team covering conditions from adolescence to menopause.
Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital
- Area
- Airport Road, Abu Dhabi
- Type
- Private hospital, obstetrics & gynaecology department
- Notes
- Offers prenatal care, gynaecological screening, and named OB-GYN specialists such as Dr. Raoya Farah.
Ahalia Hospital
- Area
- Hamdan Street / Mussaffah (Abu Dhabi)
- Type
- Private hospital, gynaecology department
- Notes
- Has an all-female gynaecology panel including doctors such as Dr. Anju Mary Varghese and Dr. Fatima Husain Abbas.
NMC Healthcare (NMC Royal / NMC Specialty, Abu Dhabi)
- Area
- Multiple Abu Dhabi locations
- Type
- Private hospital group, OB-GYN specialty
- Notes
- NMC states its OB-GYN specialists practise across Abu Dhabi and other emirates, offering routine care, high-risk pregnancy management, and fertility services.
Assault Resources
- Embassy Support Example
- Foreign embassies (e.g. the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, +971 2 610 1100) can provide information on local police and medical procedures and confidential support to their nationals following assault, though they cannot represent victims legally.
- Legal Context
- In 2024, the UAE implemented Federal Decree-Law No. 13 of 2024 on the Protection from Domestic Violence, which strengthens legal safeguards for victims and imposes stricter penalties on perpetrators, broadening the legal definition of domestic violence to include physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, and economic abuse.
Emergency Number
- Number
- 999
- Description
- UAE police emergency number for immediate danger.
Hotlines And Services
Abu Dhabi Police – Social Support Centre
- Contact
- 02 657 3699
- Description
- Local Abu Dhabi police unit handling domestic violence, abuse and family protection cases.
Family Welfare Authority (Abu Dhabi)
- Contact
- 800 5354
- Description
- Government support line for family welfare and abuse-related concerns in Abu Dhabi.
Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) Helpline
- Contact
- 800 111
- Description
- A free of charge helpline service (800111) for all the residents of Dubai and the UAE 24/7, aiming to provide an efficient and professional response for everyone, including urgent help and consultations. Though based in Dubai, it is nationwide and accessible from Abu Dhabi.
Ewaa Shelters for Women and Children
- Contact
- Via Ministry of Community Empowerment / Family Welfare Authority referral
- Description
- Ewaa shelters provide safe accommodation and rehabilitation services to women and children who have been victims of human trafficking and abuse, with locations including Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Sharjah.
Family Development Foundation (Abu Dhabi)
- Contact
- Contact via official Abu Dhabi government portal
- Description
- Abu Dhabi-based organization that provides family-oriented services, including support for women facing domestic violence, offering counseling, legal services, educational programs, and social reintegration.
Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority
- Contact
- Contact via official Abu Dhabi government portal
- Description
- Focuses on empowering families and individuals in need, particularly women facing domestic violence or difficult circumstances, offering financial assistance, social counseling, and legal guidance.
Ministry of Community Empowerment – Family Violence Reporting Channels
- Contact
- See moce.gov.ae family violence channels page
- Description
- Federal government portal listing official numbers for reporting family and domestic violence across the UAE, filterable by location.
Contraception And Emergency Contraception
- Note On Access
- Access and OTC status for hormonal contraception and emergency contraception in the UAE has shifted over recent years and can vary by pharmacy and by emirate; always confirm with the specific pharmacy.
Regular Contraception
- Bringing Pills From Home
- Travelers are able to bring a contraceptive pill from their home country into the UAE without needing the original prescription.
IUD
- Availability
- The Mirena IUD is available for insertion at leading UAE pharmacies and private clinics/hospitals, but requires a clinical appointment with a gynecologist for fitting.
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Price Note
- Cost varies by clinic/hospital and was not consistently published in available sources; expect a consultation plus device and insertion fee at a private hospital or clinic.
Pill
- Availability
- Widely available in UAE pharmacies. Some sources state the combined pill can still be bought over the counter without a prescription in many pharmacies, while more recent guidance notes that since 2018 some pharmacies (particularly in Dubai) require a doctor's prescription for unmarried women, so practical availability without a prescription can vary by location and pharmacist.
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Price Example
- AED 30
- Brands Available
- Over 20 pill brands are registered in the UAE, including Yasmin, Yaz, Marvelon, Gynera, Logynon, Microgynon, and Cerazette.
- Price Note
- Approximate cost of a one-month strip; a strip costs upwards of AED 30 depending on brand.
Implant
- Availability
- Hormonal contraceptive implants are not as commonly advertised as the pill or IUD in consumer sources, but are generally obtainable through an OB-GYN consultation at private hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi.
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Price Note
- Specific current pricing not confirmed in available sources; ask a private hospital's OB-GYN department directly.
Emergency Contraception
- Availability
- Multiple emergency contraception brands are currently sold through licensed UAE pharmacies and online pharmacy platforms, including ellaOne (ulipristal acetate, effective up to 120 hours/5 days after unprotected sex) and Navela / ECinq (levonorgestrel, effective up to 72 hours). This contradicts some older guides that claimed the morning-after pill was unavailable in the UAE, so real-world pharmacy stock and prescription requirements can vary.
- Legal Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- Practical Tip
- Emergency contraception can also be requested at a walk-in clinic or hospital pharmacy for same-day advice on timing and correct dosing.
Price Examples
ECinq Emergency Contraception 30mg (1 tablet)
- ECinq Emergency Contraception 30mg (1 Tablet)
- AED 51
ellaOne 30mg (1 tablet)
- EllaOne 30mg (1 Tablet)
- AED 85
Navela 1.5mg (1 tablet)
- Navela 1.5mg (1 Tablet)
- AED 50
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Abu Dhabi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.