What should I do if I get pregnant before marriage
Not long ago, pregnancy before marriage was strictly prohibited in the UAE; which simply meant getting married while being pregnant was a punishable offense. However with that said, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel with the new laws.
WHAT DID THE LAWS SAY ABOUT UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY IN THE UAE
Most Islamic countries which includes the UAE; followed the Zina law which strictly states that a man and woman cant be living under the same roof unless they are married. This means having sex outside marriage was most definitely intolerable and considered to be serious offense.
The UAE is so strict about these laws that individuals who did get pregnant under unforeseen circumstances or were raped were considered to be criminals and were sentenced to imprisonment.
DOCTORS IN THE COUNTRY WHO DIAGNOSE AN UNMARRIED WOMAN AS PREGNANT ARE OBLIGED TO TURN THEM OVER TO THE POLICE. THEY CAN THEN FACE JAIL AND DEPORTATION. SOME WOMEN OPT TO LEAVE THE UAE BEFORE THE PREGNANCY BECOMES VISIBLE AND BACKSTREET ABORTIONS ARE ALSO COMMON.
THE GUARDIAN, 2019
NEW FAMILY LAWS ABOUT PREGNANCY BEFORE MARRIAGE
According to times.co.uk, the minister of presidential affairs, Mr. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed signed the legal order stating that unmarried couples can cohabitate and unmarried women expecting a baby outside a wedlock need not leave the UAE.
A marriage certificate would no longer be required to enroll the birth of the child and all necessary services such as education and healthcare services would be accessible too.
“The reforms were an important step in the right direction but authorities must ensure unmarried pregnant women can access healthcare and birth certificates for their children,” said Rothna Begum of Human Rights Watch.
Reuters, 2021
CONCLUDING IF YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED IN DUBAI WHILE BEING PREGNANT
Every couple that decides to get married in the UAE has to mandatory undergo a premarital screening test to ensure that they and their partner are safe and to rule out the possibility of having any genetic or STD’s.
With that said, women were never subjected to undergo a pregnancy back in the days too; however if they were caught to be pregnant then it could led to a serious offense.
If you are pregnant and have decided to tie the knot; the recent laws would definitely work in your favor and you shouldn’t be hassled.
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