ISLAMABAD: The Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming on Thursday reiterated its recommendation that the federal government establish a working women’s hostel in the federal capital on a priority basis to meet the growing accommodation needs of working women.

The committee observed that the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment under the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package and would strengthen women’s participation in the workforce by providing safe, secure, affordable and accessible accommodation.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Dr Nafisa Shah, received a detailed briefing from the Director General of the Staff Welfare Organisation (SWO), Establishment Division, on the organisation’s mandate and its role in promoting the welfare of federal government employees, with particular emphasis on women’s empowerment, social protection and family well-being.

The members were informed that the SWO administers a range of welfare programmes, including working women’s hostels, daycare centres, community centres, holiday homes, vocational and technical training facilities, staff welfare libraries, educational stipends, financial assistance schemes and other initiatives for federal government employees and their families.

Orders construction of a hostel for working women on priority basis

The committee was also briefed on ongoing efforts to upgrade working women’s hostels, expand daycare facilities, modernise infrastructure, improve service delivery and implement programmes under the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package.

Officials informed the committee that the organisation was introducing digitisation initiatives in collaboration with the National Information Technology Board (NITB), including online admissions, digital payment systems and electronic complaint management to improve transparency, efficiency and accessibility.

During the briefing, members were informed about challenges facing the organisation, including rising demand for hostel accommodation and childcare facilities, ageing infrastructure, staff shortages due to vacant positions, financial constraints and the need for sustained investment in modernisation.

While appreciating the SWO’s role in promoting employee welfare, particularly for working women, the committee stressed that these challenges required urgent policy attention, enhanced financial support and sustained administrative commitment.

Chairperson Dr Nafisa Shah said safe, affordable and dignified accommodation, along with quality childcare facilities, was essential for increasing women’s participation in the workforce and advancing gender equality.

She said welfare institutions must evolve to meet the changing socio-economic needs of working women and that parliamentary oversight should result in tangible improvements in service delivery and institutional performance.

Committee members expressed concern over the widening gap between the growing demand for welfare facilities and the organisation’s existing capacity.

They observed that inadequate hostel accommodation, ageing infrastructure, delayed maintenance, staff shortages and limited financial resources were affecting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of welfare services.

Members stressed that women employed in the public sector should have access to secure accommodation, reliable childcare facilities and a safe and supportive environment.

Following the briefing, the committee inspected the Staff Welfare Organisation Day Care Centre in G-6/4 and the Fatima Jinnah Working Women’s Hostel in G-5, Islamabad.

During the visit, members interacted with management, staff and residents to assess accommodation standards, childcare facilities, security arrangements, utility services, maintenance and grievance redress mechanisms.

The committee reviewed infrastructure, operational efficiency, accessibility, hygiene standards and the overall welfare environment.

After receiving feedback from residents, the committee took notice of deficiencies in infrastructure maintenance, utility services, operational management and accommodation policies, directing the relevant authorities to take immediate corrective measures.

Members said the feedback would help formulate evidence-based policy recommendations to strengthen welfare institutions and improve services for working women.

The committee recommended that the Establishment Division prepare and implement a comprehensive modernisation and rehabilitation plan for all working women’s hostels and daycare centres under the SWO, with emphasis on upgrading ageing infrastructure, improving safety and security, ensuring accessibility and enhancing service quality.

It also recommended that the federal government provide adequate financial resources and staff to address capacity constraints, fill vacant posts on a priority basis, accelerate digitisation initiatives and expand the network of working women’s hostels and day care centres in line with the increasing number of women entering public service.

The committee further directed the SWO to establish a robust monitoring, evaluation and grievance redress mechanism, conduct periodic third-party audits of welfare facilities, ensure uninterrupted utility services and submit a compliance report on the implementation of its recommendations within the prescribed timeframe.

It also recommended developing minimum service standards and standard operating procedures for all working women’s hostels and daycare centres to ensure uniformity, transparency, accountability and quality service delivery across the country.

The committee emphasised the need for regular consultations with hostel residents and other beneficiaries to ensure future policy reforms remain responsive to the evolving needs of working women.

Concluding the visit, Dr Nafisa Shah reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to strengthening parliamentary oversight and ensuring welfare institutions remain responsive, efficient, transparent and accountable.

The meeting was attended by MNA Shaista Pervaiz, MNA Shahida Rehmani, Senator Rubina Qaimkhani, Senator Khalida Ateeb, the Director General of the Staff Welfare Organization, senior officers of the Establishment Division and representatives of the Ministry of Human Rights.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026