Working women still hamstrung

Concerns abound over lack of oversight in hostels

LAHORE:

In cities across Punjab, the most pressing challenge faced by women working away from home revolves around securing suitable accommodation.

While the government introduced the Working Women's Hostel Authority to address this issue, it remains inactive, leaving women vulnerable to various facility-related problems.

Dr Warda Gul, a Haripur Hazara native, has been living in Lahore for years due to her education and job. Despite her government employment, she resides in a private hostel in Shadman, as her attempts to secure space in a government hostel proved futile.

Facing challenges in her previous hostel during the 2019 pandemic, Gul now pays Rs25,000 per month in her current private hostel. While noting improved security, she acknowledges the downsides of small rooms and unsanitary washrooms.

Syeda Batul Fatima, originally from Layyah, resides in a government working women's hostel in Lahore. Being the daughter of an additional secretary facilitated her accommodation in the government hostel. However, the facilities, mirroring those in government institutions, raise concerns, especially regarding cleanliness in washrooms.

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The presence of a mess committee doesn't alleviate the situation, as women often resort to ordering food due to varying work schedules.

Despite the absence of an official record, hundreds of private hostels operate in Punjab, each with its own regulations and rental policies.

Mazahir Shagri, operating a private hostel in Lahore, points out the challenges faced by operators, such as varying rent structures and the absence of regulatory bodies. The lack of oversight results in administrators maintaining their own records, leading to undue demands for money during inspections.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the Women's Welfare Department Secretary Sumaira Samad revealed that there were currently 16 working women's hostels in Punjab, ensuring 625 beds.

“Plans are underway to establish hostels in all districts, with a budget allocation expected in the next financial year for the Women's Hostels Authority,” she said.

Samad emphasised that any working woman can stay in the hostels, irrespective of government employment. While current rents are low, there are plans to review and potentially increase them.

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The Women's Welfare Department outlined four room categories with varying rents, with big cities like Lahore having higher rates.

The recently approved Punjab Women Hostels Authority Act of 2023 aims to address these challenges, outlining the composition of the authority and its objectives. However, the establishment faces delays due to the caretaker government, with expectations of activation post-elections.

As the demand for suitable accommodation persists, the effectiveness of the Women's Hostels Authority becomes crucial in ensuring safe and adequate living conditions for working women across Punjab.

Rent details from the Women's Welfare Department indicate that a single room in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan costs Rs1500 a month while a double room costs Rs1,000 per person.

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Three and four-bedroom rents are Rs800 per person. All residents pay electricity and gas bills separately, with a refundable security deposit of Rs5,000 in big cities and Rs4,000 in small cities.

The Punjab Women Hostels Authority Act, approved in February 2023, aims to establish an authority overseeing the sector. However, its activation faces delays due to the caretaker government. The act outlines the authority's composition, including ex-officio members and representatives from various sectors.

While the caretaker government's absence of a Women Development Department Minister delays the authority's establishment, there is optimism for its functionality post-elections.

The establishment of the Punjab Working Women Hostels Authority is seen as a crucial step in bringing hostels under a legal framework and formulating necessary rules and regulations for their effective operation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2024.