Unsurprisingly almost all non-negative news of the arab world is suppressed. Yes the path is full normalization and fully legally protected.

The major difference in the UAE is that the judicial system is victim based. Not DA based. Basically the government leaves you alone for most of these things except if a party to the "crime" on the books complains.

So for abortion, if 2 expats hook up and a need an abortion it's basically like California. You make an appointment, you get it done, you get prescription meds, all good. No protestors anywhere, ever.

If someone hooks up with a deeply conservative person and they disagree with the abortion, then legally they're correct. And it can be stopped unless as outlined for the reasons in the article now. But just like in the redneck states, most of the conservatives are not against it when it benefits them or they need it.

Which brings it all back to nobody cares. And having been someone who has taken women to get their abortions in the US (as a friend only!) that walk of pressure and shame is ridiculous. The last time was like a friggin spy movie. We got a location to go to 1hr before the appointment. We parked there. An unmarked van pulls up, and you get in. You put on covers for your clothes and face. The van drives you to the clinic, parks near a rear entrance, and you run inside while all the "Christians" scream at you, throw blood at you, call you a murderer, etc. Then after the woman has the procedure and has to go back, has to do it in reverse in pain. And the van does like 30 minutes of evasive driving down random roads until they finally double back to wherever your car is. This was in a purple area of a blue state btw. The clinic had people routinely shoot it up (at night, not with people in it), try to light it on fire, harass employees, etc.

It's absolutely horrifying.