Is Dubai Safe for Women Living Alone?
As one of the best tourist destinations in the world, Dubai has invested a lot into its systems and infrastructures in order to keep its people safe. As such, this makes it a very appealing place for women to live alone while they work.
Is Dubai Safe for Women Living Alone?
Dubai is very safe for women to live in, even for those who are living alone. Just make sure to respect and follow the rules on modesty and behaviour, as well as remember your emergency numbers and general tips on transportation as you go about in the big city.
Safety in Dubai from Crime
Women who are concerned about the rate of crime committed against them will be glad to know that these incidents aren’t a big problem here in Dubai.
It is ranked 52 based on the Global Peace Index given its level of social safety, lack of rampant militarisation, and the lack of any major ongoing conflicts within itself and its nearby neighbours.
Violent crimes such as assault and murder are quite low, mostly given the strict enforcement of local laws and regulations. After all, it has a safety index of 83.02% which is experienced by 98.6% of all the surveyed residents.
There’s no need to worry too much whenever you’re coming home from a night out with friends or from a shopping trip.
Regulations You Must Remember to Follow When Living in Dubai
However, along with the increased security comes stricter regulations. As such, Dubai can be very vigilant when it comes to enforcing its rules in order to maintain order within the city.
Of course, you do have a good degree of freedom to move around in Dubai. All that is asked is to respect its culture as well as the beliefs of its people and you should get along the city just fine as a single woman.
Respect the dress code
One of the common questions most women might have when moving to Dubai is the dress code. In other Islamic countries, you could expect to follow a very strict dress code that requires almost full coverage of the body.
Fortunately, Dubai is fairly liberal in this regard and there’s only a few things you need to keep in mind in order to get around most places in Dubai.
As a rule, clothes should cover the shoulders and the knees. This means that getting around in shirts and jeans is quite okay, as well as long dresses that cover these particular garments.
Just make sure to avoid sheer or see-through clothing of course. Showing your cleavage is also highly discouraged.
Avoid any short skirts or dresses that show off your underwear of course. Women can wear leggings underneath their dresses but it is discouraged to wear leggings as a pants substitute.
Of course, the rules are a bit more relaxed at the beach and you can wear your swimsuits and bikinis without issue. However, people are expected to cover up before entering a nearby establishment like a restaurant or a bar after swimming.
The dress code is much stricter when entering places of worship like mosques of course. However, given the level of tourism in Dubai, these places will typically provide you with the necessary covers before you enter as a tourist.
Rules on living together
Single women can own their own home when they’re in Dubai. However, the law does forbid unmarried men and women from living together in the same house so be careful with who you invite for sleepovers.
Easy on the alcohol
There aren’t a lot of restrictions on alcohol consumption in Dubai and there’s a good number of nice bars and similar establishments to choose from for a round of social drinking.
Just remember to take it easy however. Drunken and unruly behaviour is a big offence when you’re in Dubai and thus, it might be best to keep heavier drinks at home.
No permission, no photograph
It can be easy to get carried away with your camera when going about Dubai. There’s plenty of architectural structures, technology, and traditional areas that make for a really memorable trip and amazing photo opportunities.
Just make sure to ask people for permission before you take your photos though, out of respect to their privacy. Taking the photo of someone without their consent is illegal in the country.
It must be said that taking photos of government properties, aircraft, and military equipment is against the rules as well.
A few tips for living alone in Dubai
In addition to just knowing about the different rules and regulations for living alone, we’ve also gathered a few helpful tips to make your stay in the city a lot more pleasant and safe.
Keep an eye out for female-only taxis
It’s understandable for women to be more cautious on using public transportation like taxis alone, given the crime concerns and Dubai’s rules on unmarried men and women. Fortunately, the city has a way of making this experience safer.
Keep an eye out for a taxi with a pink roof. These cars are driven by female drivers and meant mostly for female passengers and families with children.
Also, front seats on a bus are typically reserved for women as well so you may want to stay on these sections when travelling.
Keep a copy of your emergency numbers
Dubai’s emergency operators are very fluent so don’t hesitate to call and ask for help if you need them. 999 is the police number, 997 is for the fire department, 998 is for calling an ambulance, and 996 is for the Coast Guard for seaside emergencies.
Drive on the right side of the road
Women can drive their own cars in Dubai. But do note that Dubai vehicles have their steering wheel on the left and so you have to drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Remember not to drive or overtake on the hard shoulder though otherwise you’ll be fined AED 1,000. These are for emergencies, like a flat tyre, and will usually have some safety barriers for cars to stop.
So if you’re a single woman looking to grow your career, then Dubai is an amazing place to do so. It’s quite safe even for those living alone and there’s plenty of opportunities for career advancement and socialising.
Just remember to follow the rules and respect its unique culture and you should be able to get along with the city just fine.