WELFARE ASSOCIATION of WAPDA ENGINEERS

(Registered)
NIRC Registration # 06/2020 under IRA-2012
WAWE
No. WAWE/WAPDA/65
Date: 18.09.2023
General Manager HRD
711-Wapda House,
Lahore.
SUBJECT: ISSUES FACED BY FEMALE ENGINEERS OF WAPDA - VISIT OF WAPDA PROJECTS TO
CHECK FACILITIES OF FEMALE STAFF
Ref: (i) Your office letter No. GM (HRD)/DD(Rules)/07456/123/11785-11884 dated
18.08.2023.
(ii) Our letter No. WAWE/WAPDA/64 dated 28.08.2023.
Dear Sir
With reference to letter cited at Sr. No. (i) above, it was quite satisfying and appreciable that the
Authority is taking positive actions for identifying and improving the living conditions for females
on various work places particularly on hard areas projects. In this regard, it was requested to kindly
depute, along with DD Rules, at least one female engineer from water wing, one female engineer
from power wing as well as a male engineer so that a more objective and purposeful report may be
prepared for consideration of the Authority. However, the nominated officer, i.e. DD Rules, is
visiting different projects for the subject purpose without any further company as requested by us
vide letter cited at Sr. No. (ii) above.
Kindly note that there is great unrest amongst female WAPDA officers (engineers only) due to
transfer / postings on hard area projects as well as on some O&M projects where basic social
amenities are too scarce or even not existing. The female engineers have approached WAWE for
conveying their concerns to the decision makers. In this regard, the copy of a self-explanatory letter
from female engineers is enclosed herewith which describes the real issues being faced by them.
In view of above and to address & resolve this genuine issue on urgent basis, WAWE suggests to
constitute a committee comprising engineers & at other cadres’ representatives (male+female)
from Projects at hard areas, O&M setup and head office to draft a policy to better facilitate all and
especially female Wapda Employees posted at hard areas and field formations, while considering
the following points highlighted by female engineers in their letter mentioned above:
i. Wedlock policy i.e. posting of female officers to the station where their husbands
are residing/working and posting of single female officers to their home station
should be implemented in true spirit for all Tom, Dick and Harry based on
humanitarian grounds. It is commendable that few females whose husbands are
also WAPDA employees are facilitated under wedlock policy. Therefore, it is
requested that other married females whose husbands aren't in WAPDA should be
accommodated by WAPDA instead of expecting that from the other organizations
where their husbands are employed. Implementation of this policy is very feasible
task for WAPDA because it has big network of projects and offices all over Pakistan
and strength of female engineers is minimal.
ii. Considering the importance of exposure, posting of female on family stations
provided with all facilities i.e. separate residences, proper health facilities,

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 WELFARE ASSOCIATION of WAPDA ENGINEERS (WAWE)

transportation facilities, security, etc. should not be more than a year and should
not be without the consent of female engineer.
iii. WAPDA projects in hard areas are not feasible / secure for female engineers as
evident from the environment of areas like Chillas and Dasu where no females are
being seen on roads and female schools are being burnt recently which depicts the
level of acceptance of people of those areas for independent / educated females.
Therefore, it is best that for exposure purpose visits with proper security should be
planned for female engineers instead of permanently posting them to such areas.
iv. Federal government has recently passed a bill by which maternity leaves for female
are extended from 3 months to 6 months. Therefore, WAPDA should also implement
this policy to facilitate and accommodate its female staff / officers.

Nevertheless, Article 37(e) of Constitution of Pakistan directs the state to make provisions securing
just and humane conditions of work ensuring that children and women are not employed in
vocations unsuited for their age or sex, and for ensuring maternity benefits for women in
employment.
Above in view, the matter is significant and we look forward for a positive response from your end
at the earliest, please.

SECRETARY GENERAL
Welfare Association of WAPDA Engineers
(WAWE)
Copy to:
1. Member (Water) WAPDA, Wapda House, Lahore.
2. Member (Power) WAPDA, Wapda House, Lahore.
3. Member (Finance) WAPDA, Wapda House, Lahore.
4. PSO to Chairman WAPDA, Wapda House, Lahore.
5. President, WAWE.
6. Secretary Liaison Female (Water) WAWE.
7. Secretary Liaison Female (Power) WAWE.

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Address: Office No. P-32, 2nd Floor, Zaamin Centre, Off Egerton Road, Shimla Hill, Lahore.
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