Girls' hostels and myriad issues

Hostel life is a vital phase of a student's academic journey, particularly for young women who relocate to different cities to pursue higher education. Unfortunately, rather than offering a secure and supportive environment, many girls' hostels fall drastically short of providing even basic living standards. A primary issue is the dismal quality of food. Meals are frequently prepared under highly unhygienic conditions, posing severe risks of food poisoning and chronic health issues. Despite these substandard provisions, students are subjected to exorbitant accommodation fees. Furthermore, security remains a compromised afterthought. To safeguard residents, female accommodations must feature trained security personnel, fully operational CCTV networks, and stringent entry protocols. Regrettably, the lack of adequate security measures leaves young women highly vulnerable. Compounding these anxieties are daily disruptions caused by persistent shortages of water and natural gas. Rather than resolving these utility crises, hostel management, in general, levies extra charges without delivering the services promised. Shockingly, administrative in-charges consistently dismiss or ignore student grievances. The government and relevant authorities must intervene immediately by enforcing strict regulatory oversight and holding negligent management accountable. Routine, unannounced inspections are essential to guarantee hygienic food, fair pricing, robust security and uninterrupted utilities. Students deserve a safe, healthy and dignified environment to pursue their education without unnecessary hardships. Kashmala Mehmood Islamabad