Abstract

This research is conducted to explore the challenges and risks faced by the working women in government organizations of northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan). For this purpose, a sample of 50 working women was taken from government organization, from Gilgit city. The age group of selected sample ranged between 20 and 49 years. The qualification of the respondents was usually under-graduate and graduate, the working experience of the sample ranges between 1 and 25 years. The research is descriptive in nature and it describes the challenges and risks faced by working women in government organizations of Gilgit city. The collected data reveals that 38% women agree with gender policy and 62% do not agree. Variant views are found about issues like female employees face harassment at work place. This statement is supported by 26% female employees, while 74% working women are against the statement, pick and drop facility for female staff is supported  by 86%, and on the other hand 14% working women does not want to avail this facility. The finding indicates that inequality with women or lack of opportunities for women in job market is a serious issue. This research shows that female employees face many difficulties in government organization, such as discriminatory gender policy, lack of trainings, pick and drop facility, and even in some organization female employees do not have separate toilets. Almost all organization did not have day care centre for children of working women, timings are inflexible for female employees and lack of appreciation for their work, internet facilities at work place, lack of official accommodation and cafeteria facility are the major concerns of working women of Northern areas of Pakistan.

Key words: Working women, government organizations, challenges and risks, northern areas, Pakistan.