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      The crucial things you need to know about the contraceptive pill in the UAE

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      If you’ve had some burning questions about the contraceptive pill in the UAE and the rules surrounding it, we’ve compiled everything you need to know into one easy guide.
      EW sought the help of expert Dr Sura Alwan – who is an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Medcare Women & Children Hospital – who has answered all the key questions about the contracpetive pill in the UAE.
      Can you talk us through how accessibility to contraception in the UAE for women has developed over the last few years?

      Contraception has become an essential part of women’s healthcare. It is an important means to prevent unintended pregnancies and to achieve family planning using effective and safe methods. The past decade has seen a notable increase in the use of contraceptives in the UAE.
      These changes have been associated with a reduced number of unintended pregnancies, and more family planning control, especially for working women in all fields. This is also mostly due to the increased awareness in women in the UAE through community awareness campaigns, easy accessibility to medical services, and social media. Also, accessibility to contraception in the UAE for women improved in the last years as some contraceptive options can be available in pharmacies and be taken without a prescription.
      What are the rules surrounding contraception in the UAE?

      If an expat woman is already on contraception, she can check with her gynaecologist and discuss other options according to her situation. However, unmarried women can obtain contraceptive pills in the UAE to help treat conditions like heavy periods, hormonal disturbance or severe acne. She will need a prescription from a doctor first.

      (Above: Dr Sura Alwan) 
      Do I need a prescription to purchase contraceptive pills in the UAE?
      Since 2018, birth control is no longer available over the counter in Dubai pharmacies and thus it has become increasingly difficult for unmarried women to seek contraceptive options.
      The contraceptive pill I was using in my home country isn’t available in the UAE. Why is this?
      It is advisable to check the type you are using with your gynaecological specialist doctor because sometimes the type of contraception you are using is available in UAE but in another brand name. The types of contraception are the same all over the world, but by different companies in different brand names. The doctor can provide you with a prescription for a pill in the same efficacy. Women can double-check if their brand of pill is available by using the search function on the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi website.
      What brands of the pill are available in the UAE?
      There are over 20 types of birth control and contraceptive pills registered and available to women in the UAE. Some examples below:
      Yasmin
      Diva
      Drospera
      Yaz
      Diane
      Belara
      Marvelon
      Gynera
      Slinda
      Desirett
      Cerazette
      Am I allowed to bring the pill into the UAE from my home country?
      Yes, you are able to bring the contraceptive pill from your home country into the UAE without the need for the original prescription. If you have any issues or problem with using your pills you can discuss and check with your gynaecologist doctor in the UAE who will also be able to help.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Karolina Grabowska from Pexels, Images: Supplied More

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      Dubai authorities have significantly decreased the cost of COVID-19 tests again

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      The cost of COVID-19 PCR tests have been reduced in Dubai.
      The Dubai Health Authority announced the cost of tests in government facilities are now Dhs150.

      “To encourage pre-emptive medical examinations as a precautionary and preventive measure, we reduced the cost of #COVID19 PCR tests to AED150 in DHA facilities,” the authority announced on their official Twitter page.

      To encourage pre-emptive medical examinations as a precautionary and preventive measure, we reduced the cost of #COVID19 PCR tests to AED150 in DHA facilities. pic.twitter.com/oEb1rZUbT0
      — هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) September 29, 2020

      Meanwhile, the cost of PCR tests in private health facilities in the emirate remains at Dhs250, which is still at a reduced cost to what it previously was.
      A couple of weeks ago the decision was made to decrease the cost of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, where a nasal swab is taken in order to detect any traces of coronavirus.
      A reduction of more than Dhs100 has been implemented, making the cost of COVID-19 PCR tests now Dhs250 throughout Dubai in all licensed public and private healthcare establishments.
      The previous cost of a PCR test was Dhs370.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: Visit Dubai Instagram More

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      Emirates is set to resume flights to Oman this Friday

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      After nearly seven months of being closed, Oman is set to reopen its borders this Thursday, October 1.
      Now, Dubai-based airline Emirates is set to resume flights to the country’s capital Muscat on Thursday, October 2.

      With two services running a week on Sundays and Fridays, those based in the UAE will once again be able to visit neighbouring Oman, of course provided they follow all precautionary measures in place.
      There is currently a mandatory 14-day quarantine period in the sultanate and passengers travelling to Muscat will also undergo temperature checks, and may also be asked to undergo a COVID-19 test once arriving in Oman.
      READ: 4 of the best luxury hotels in Oman

      The resumption of Emirates flights to Oman brings the Dubai-based airline’s destination network to a total of 94.
      This number is over half the network the airline was flying to pre-pandemic.
      Over the past few months, particularly after Dubai’s borders reopened to tourists on July 7, Emirates has slowly been increasing it’s network pool.
      To ensure the safety of travellers, Emirates has promised it will cover COVID-19 medical costs for passengers.
      The airline also recently announced that those intending to travel with Emirates from Dubai can undergo a COVID-19 PCR test which will be priced at a discounted rate.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: The Medi Muscat  More

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      6 Ways to Be an Advocate for Women of Color in the Workplace

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      The workplace can present tricky situations and conversations to navigate for anyone. As we work as a nation towards actual change, it’s important to understand the places and ways where white people can make a difference and implement change, not just internally, but also on an organizational level at work. Being a leader, amplifying the voices of BIPOC colleagues, and advocating for BIPOC in the workplace are just some of the responsibilities of being a white ally. Your BIPOC coworkers shouldn’t feel as though they’re on their own. We connected with Dominique Fluker, Senior Contributor at ForbesWomen, to find out more about some of the most effective ways to be an advocate for your BIPOC coworkers—and why it’s so essential.

      1. Embrace discomfort
      Being an ally is going to come with feelings of discomfort. The conversations have the potential to be anxiety-provoking, like any road less traveled would be. Further, there could be an underlying guilt or shame behind the feeling of wishing you had done more sooner. The term ‘growing pains’ wasn’t coined without reason—with change of any kind comes uncomfortable situations, and embracing that idea will be a part of creating change. Acknowledge that in being an advocate for BIPOC in the workplace, you’re probably going to be faced with conversations or scenarios that you haven’t yet faced, and just because their newness doesn’t provide the same comfort as a routine scenario would, doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile. Discomfort and advocacy in the workplace are part of the necessary evolution we all need to have an active hand in creating. 

      Source: Bonnin Studio | Stocksy

      2. Amplify Voices
      Amplifying the voices of BIPOC in the workplace means more than posting infographics on social media. While that is a good first step, we asked Fluker the best ways to advocate. “Some powerful ways women can advocate effectively for WOC is to praise their work product, defend, and elevate them to the roles of senior leadership. Too often, you find Black women diminished and silenced within the workplace. Given the times that we’re living in, I encourage women to actively and not passively advocate for WOC and Black women in the workplace. We’re more than capable of making the tough leadership decisions and being visible on strategies and executing them.” Dominique highlighted key words: praising, defending, and elevating BIPOC in the workplace in an effort to make change. These verbs together all lead to amplifying the voices of BIPOC and give people a clear call to action in regards to what to do to be an advocate in the workplace. 

      Source: rawpixel

      3. Learn to Support in Multiple Ways
      We can all say that we support racial equality and that we want to have a hand in the change, but what does that really mean? Having the thought is a good start, but Dominique outlined clear ways to amplify BIPOC women in the workplace, and a lot of that amplification stems from trust. “Trust us to do our jobs well and support our creative ideas, without constantly second-guessing or doubting our abilities,” said Dominique. Trust is essential to teamwork and success in a workplace environment, and would build a solid foundation of support for your BIPOC colleagues.
      With a foundation solidified, other ways of support can come into play. “Elevate our voices, listen to our opinions, and encourage us to speak out more. Advocating publicly doesn’t JUST mean praising our work product and ideas, but it can also look like mentorship, sponsorship, and acceptance. Most Black women in corporate and in the workplace want to be promoted and paid accurately for our work. We’re now looking for sponsorship within the workplace; a sponsor is a senior-level staff member who’s invested in a protégé’s career success. We want senior leaders to be invested in us, just as much as we’re invested in producing quality and innovative work,” Dominique said. Perhaps in your workplace you’re in a position to shine a light on a BIPOC colleague’s work or success that’s going unnoticed by other senior leaders. By the same token, if you have that ability, you probably have the ability to make an effort to mentor a BIPOC colleague. 

      Source: Studio Firma | Stocksy

      4. Actively Educate
      Committing yourself to diversifying the media you consume, the influencers and accounts you follow, the articles and books you read, and the conversations you participate in revolving around white privilege and racial bias is essential to creating change. As an ally, take the responsibility to educate yourself, and don’t rely on BIPOC to educate you. The more you learn and progress, the more you can educate and help other white people to progress, and incite them to do the same.

      5. Be Unafraid
      “Most times, non-WOC are afraid to come forth and protect Black women in the workplace,” Dominique said. “I encourage all white women to be vocal when they know someone is being treated wrongly in the workplace, and if the employee has too heavy of a workload.” Speaking up for what is right can be scary, but allies must be unafraid of speaking up for change. There is a fear associated with speaking up, but as you flex that advocate muscle more and more, it’ll get stronger and you’ll learn and get better at navigating conversations. The work is far from over, which makes evolution increasingly important.

      Source: rawpixel

      6. Create Resources
      At your job, take note of the development opportunities. From my experience in a workplace environment and in graduate school, typically there are professional development requirements or training requirements, but are there opportunities for you and your colleagues to progress in terms of diversity and equality? Does the place you work for offer trainings around implicit bias and fairness in the workplace? If the answer is no, this is an opportunity for you to speak up about putting some of those trainings, discussions, or forums in place, and in turn, do your part of educating more people and spreading more awareness.
      At the end of the day, it comes down to the actual doing. Fluker said it well: “Don’t be silent. Silence is compliance. To be a true advocate and ally, try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and think of active and helpful solutions for WOC that won’t always serve you personally. It’s not beneficial to pry and be overly involved in their personal lives or make assumptions about their household and career trajectory. You don’t own Black women. They are your colleagues.” Our peers deserve our acknowledgment, advocacy and respect in the workplace, and we must all take on the responsibility to help push the movement of equality forward. For most people, an office or work environment is where a large chunk of their time is spent, and it should be a place where everyone gets a fair shake. We must do our part, as advocates for BIPOC in the workplace, to make sure that happens.   More

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      Check into Dubai’s new brunch staycation that includes spa deal and pool access

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      Brunch is a Dubai institution, but it seems that the standard 1-5pm seating doesn’t cut it any more.
      Numerous hotels in the city are introducing unique experiences to make your Friday a little more special, including The Oberoi in Business Bay.

      The stylish hotel is home to a buzzing Italian restaurant Matto and they have been cooking up a brunch staycation package to make it worth your time, and money.

      Brunch Del Matto offers an unconventional experience full of music and great food that also includes a stay at one of the spacious rooms at the Oberoi. Who wants head home when you can enjoy a Downtown lifestyle for the night in a room that features floor to ceiling windows, a king-size bed, a comfortable sofa and an Italian marble bathroom?
      Not only will you satisfy your taste buds during brunch that runs from 1pm-5pm on Friday and includes house beverages, but you will also be treated to 20 per cent off spa treatments as well as a further 20 per cent off food and drinks at the hotel venues. Oh, and they’re throwing in breakfast at Nine7One the following morning and full access to the swimming pool on the day that you check-in (Thursday or Friday).

      Brunch staycation package starts from Dhs775 for single occupancy and Dhs990 net on double occupancy per night.
      To book call + 971 4 444 1 444 or email reservations.dubai@oberoihotels.com
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram More

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      Mohamed Hadid says having famous children like Gigi and Bella is a ‘burden’

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      It’s no secret Mohamed Hadid has some very successful children – and that success just so happens to be in the public eye.
      However, it seems the 71-year-old struggles with the fame of his daughters Gigi and Bella Hadid sometimes, which he has opened up about in a new interview.

      In a new interview with The Times UK, the property tycoon admitted that many people don’t see him as Mohamed Hadid.
      “They look at me as the father of Gigi and Bella and Anwar and Alana and Marielle,” the father-of-five said. “It’s dangerous for me to be their father.”

      Clarifying his statement, he went on to explain that he has to be very cautious of everything he does, as he doesn’t want his actions to reflect on them. “[People] use my kids as an instrument to harass me,” he added.

      Further explaining what it’s like to be a parent to two of the biggest supermodels in the world, Mohamed likened it to being a “tremendous burden”.
      “Just being their father is a tremendous burden on me,” he said. “They were my kids. Now I’m their father. It is what it is.”
      Comparing his family to the very public lives of the Kardashian-Jenners, Mohamed explained that they are very much “not the Kardashians” and are a very private family.
      This certainly rings true for his daughter Gigi, 25, who recently gave birth to her first child. The model largely kept her pregnancy under wraps until recently, and made sure to keep her birth a secret and hasn’t revealed the name of her newborn daughter with boyfriend Zayn Malik yet.
      Whilst Mohamed may have some reservations about being a father to two of the most famous people in the world right now, we’re betting it’s definitely not all bad…
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Getty/Instagram More

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      5 editor-approved brunches in Dubai that are definitely worth booking

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      Sometimes there is so much to do, so much to try, whatever the situation may be, things can get slightly overwhelming. In EW’s series ‘Editor-Approved’ we’re aiming to show you experiences and products which have truly been tried and tested and have our editors’ stamp of approval.
      In this week’s instalment of ‘Editor-Approved’, we round up some fabulous brunches that are based in Dubai which have been tried and tested and are definitely worth booking.
      Bull & Bear

      A truly cool and relaxed vibe, complete with live music, amazing food and flawless service, this new brunch at Bull & Bear restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria DIFC has our seal of approval. The new brunch takes on an iconic theme inspired by the Martin Scorsese directed blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street – enter ‘The Bull of Wall Street’. Officially launching this Friday, October 2, the brunch will be running every Friday from 1pm to 5pm. There’s two brunch packages available: Dhs290 for soft drinks and Dhs450 for bubbles, house hops and a selection of cocktails.
      La Mezcaleria

      Those looking for a lively brunch and a good time with friends, this Latin American pop-up in DIFC is the place for you. Enjoy sharing-style starters with your friends, followed by your own main course and then a sharing platter of desserts. Running every Friday from 1pm to 5pm packages start from Dhs190 for soft drinks, Dhs290 for grape, Dhs360 for house beverages and mixed drinks and Dhs460 for bubbly.
      OPA

      A Mediterranean feast awaits you at OPA every Friday, bringing Mykonos to Dubai. Let your hair down with your friends feasting on the iconic flavours of Greece, along with some plate-smashing entertainment. Running from 12pm until 4pm, packages for this four-course brunch begin at Dhs245 for soft drinks, Dhs350 for house drinks and Dhs395 for bubbles.
      French Riviera

      While you might have missed out on your summer holiday to the south of France this year, you can enjoy the next best thing with Jumeriah group’s pop-up restaurant – French Riviera. Located on the stunning oceanfront at Jumeriah Al Qasr, enjoy a Cote D’Azur dining experience. Enjoy the culinary expertise of Chef Kim Joinié-Maurin – who previously worked with Joël Robuchon, a three-Michelin star French chef and restauranteur – with an array of French dishes. Available every Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, with packages starting from Dhs350 for soft drinks and Dhs450 for house drinks and cocktails. This brunch at French Riviera is an absolute must-try.
      Miss Lily’s

      For those looking to celebrate, whatever the occasion may be, with a great group of people, complete with great food and great tunes, Miss Lily’s is your one-stop-brunch-shop.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram / Supplied More

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      Good American and the power of inclusivity

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      September’s – ‘The Power Issue’ – Download Now
      Entrepreneur Emma Grede is all for inclusivity at every level, championing this with her pioneering brand Good American alongside co-founder Khloé Kardashian.
      “Power, to me, means making sure every woman feels heard and included,” says entrepreneur Emma Grede. This is the exact philosophy she has taken with her trailblazing brand, Good American, an all-inclusive label she co-founded with Khloé Kardashian in 2016. “It isn’t just about fashion and trends, our brand is about creating something that helps empower women to feel their best and break down barriers.”
      Having studied at the London College of Fashion, and eventually working for a fashion production agency which led her to working in New York City and Los Angeles, British-born Grede came to a realisation when she was pregnant with her daughter. “I wanted to start my own company that I would be really proud of and that she would be really proud of,” Grede tells Emirates Woman. “When I started thinking about and exploring the opportunity for Good American, it was clear that so many women are ignored by the fashion industry, and I wanted to create a brand that bridges this gap.”

      The idea was there, then it came time to execute it. Having become connected with Kris Jenner during fashion weeks in Paris, the pair always discussed different projects they were working on which led to her casual pitch for Good American and to pin down Khloé Kardashian as her co-founder. “I pitched her in a casual way that was like, ‘Hey, I’m doing this thing, and I’d really love Khloé to be my partner,’ and she loved it but said she’d talk to Khloé,” she recalls. She flew to Los Angeles to meet with Kardashian “and the rest is history, as they say”, Grede says. From the moment they sat down together, it was clear their visions aligned creating the perfect partnership for the pioneering brand. “As soon as I started speaking, she started chiming in with stories,” Grede says. “Immediately, we were both on board with the idea that we were going to create this empowering, inclusive brand.”

      When launching four years ago, Good American’s focus was on denim, but at the helm of its focus was size-inclusivity with the jean sizes from the brand ranging from American size OO to 24. That gap in the market Grede saw was revolutionary – on their first day, Good American sold $1 million worth of denim. “It showed us that there is a huge market of women who have felt ignored by fashion brands,” Grede explains, and there was an appetite for more. The brand has since branched into activewear, dresses, bodysuits, trousers and most recently swimwear. Every single item that is created under the Good American umbrella is in their inclusive size range 00 to 24.
      “Historically, the fashion industry has been built on standards of exclusivity, catering only to specific body types, carrying a small range of sizes and representing a sometimes unrealistic body ideal,” Grede explains. “We continue to pioneer the space by listening to our customers to directly impact our design choices and product launches.” The brand has opened up a new chapter for many women, particularly many curvier women, who have been forced to shop for lower-priced, low-quality products as it’s been the only option.
      The success of Good American hasn’t gone unnoticed by other brands, with Grede noting how they are beginning to recognise the issue of size-exclusivity in the fashion industry. “We still have a long way to go, but we’re excited to see the industry take steps in the right direction while leading the way,” she adds. However, this hasn’t been without its obstacles. “It has been challenging to transform the way the industry views the inclusivity and body positivity movement, and understand that it’s not just a trend, it’s the future of business,” Grede explains, admitting the movement can feel “superficial” at times. “Not all retailers will put their money where their mouth is,” she candidly says. “There are a lot of costs associated: bigger sizes take extra fabric, shooting product on different sized models and more.”
      There was also the hurdle of getting retailers to carry all of the sizes the brand was offering. “Traditionally straight sizes are displayed in one location while plus sizes are offered in a separate section,” the Good American CEO says. “However, this went against the very core of Good American.” It’s not just been the challenge to find partners to work with that will stock their sizes, it’s also about changing the core beliefs of the industry. “I’d say the biggest hurdle is getting more partners and people to shift their mindset, and in turn, shift their behaviour,” Grede says. While it’s been tough, it’s clear they’ve made major leaps and bounds.

      At its core brand principles, Good American, of course, seeks to work with partners that are not only willing to showcase size inclusivity, but also a diverse group of women. This is where Grede and Kardashian took matters into their own hands, going directly to the women they appeal to. “When we were in search of a diverse cast reflective of who our woman is, we launched our first-ever Open Casting for Good American’s first seasonal campaign in 2017,” she says. “The response was overwhelmingly positive and our customers were beyond excited.” Following the tremendous success of the initiative, the Good American Open Casting is now held annually. Furthermore, it’s become a whole movement. “Our Open Casting programme gives women over the age of 14 the opportunity to join our Good American #GoodSquad – a group of real women who celebrate and inspire our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, body positivity and female empowerment,” Grede says. “Our goal is to use these cornerstones to push the fashion industry to be more inclusive, diverse and real.” It’s what has become one of the most enriching parts of Grede’s journey with Good American. “Being able to impact the lives of women has been the most rewarding experience,” she says. “Whether through our Open Casting initiatives, or talking with customers on social, our customers are really the ones shaping our product offerings and the future of Good American. They keep us motivated each and every day.”
      While the Good American name may pertain to the USA, the brand has become a global phenomenon and is particularly well-loved in the GCC region, which is seen by Grede. “We saw that there was an appetite for Good American in the UAE and GCC region through both customer feedback and comments and messages on our social channels,” she says. “While we’ve heard from customers about how much they love our product, we have seen an incredible response to our focus on empowerment, inclusivity, diversity and body positivity. These are the true tenets of our brand and it’s clear that they’re resonating with women all over the world, especially in the UAE and GCC region!”
      It’s been an incredible journey for Grede – who now resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children – to build a brand from the ground-up not only with an amazing co-founder in Kardashian, but with incredible core values. As for what’s next? We’ll all just have to wait and see.
      September’s – ‘The Power Issue’ – Download Now
      – For more about luxury lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More