ISLAMABAD: The working women employed in different government, private organizations and students are facing residential problems due to lack of hostels in federal capital.
A limited number of working women hostels are offering residential facilities at affordable rates including one Fatima Jinnah Hostel under ministry of Housing and Works, Working Women Hostel under Ministry of Law Justice and Human Rights and Social Welfare Hostel under Establishment Division.
Besides that a number of private hostels are running in different areas of the city but the residents always complain about their high rates and poor living facilities creating a number of problems for them.
The inmates of private hostels informed this scribe that they are paying Rs 8000 to Rs 10,000 rent for a room shared by at least two to three girls besides mess charges.
The hostels were a long-standing demand as private hostels are not only over saturated but also very expensive and living condition is far from ideal.
A large number of working women and students come from far-flung villages in search of jobs and for studying in better educational institutions but the problem they faced is to find a suitable shelter.
Away from solace of family members these students and working women face multiple problems ranging from accommodation to cultural adjustments. Afshan, who works at a cellular company and hails from Rahim Yar Khan, while sharing her views, said, “It was a gigantic task, especially for girls, to find a comfortable place for living, adding that away from home, working women face many physiological and social problems and lack of hostels aggravate these issues for them.”
Salma, who works with an NGO, said, “I am living in the federal capital for the last five years but still did not found a satisfactory and comfortable place to live.”
Bushra, a teacher said it was a challenging task to adjust with roommates having different temperaments and cultural backgrounds. However, while living in a hostel she has learnt how to accommodate undesired people.
