While an increasing number of women pursue professional and independent lives, societal attitudes and structural barriers continue to create unnecessary hurdles for them in finding a safe and secure family residence in Karachi.
Housing societies and landlords worsen the problem by imposing restrictive policies. Some gated communities refuse to allow single women to buy or rent property, claiming it would disturb the ‘family-oriented environment’ of the community. Financial challenges also come into play. Single women often face problems when applying for loans to purchase property, or even while opening a bank account.
Financial institutions require additional guarantors and often impose stricter terms, such as the need for a husband or father to open a bank account in the same branch.
The baseless assumption that women lack financial stability compared to men is both unjust and outdated in today’s world.
There are many single women who are forced to compromise heavily on either security or quality when looking for houses in areas where they feel accepted. This results in them having to settle in areas with an alarming crime rate, disrupted supply of electricity and water, adding more to their problems.
These biases stem from outdated societal norms that view single women with suspicion, often associating independence with non-conformism. As such, housing societies and landlords must implement non-discriminatory policies.
Additionally, financial institutions should simplify processes to support women in opening bank accounts and securing loans independently.
In a city like Karachi, where women are increasingly contributing to the workforce, their right to safe and independent housing must be upheld.
The authorities concerned should take proactive measures to address the issue.
KAMRAN AKHTER
KARACHI
