Indian actor, producer and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza has drawn attention to the urgent link between girls’ safety and freedom of movement, marking National Girl Child Day and National Tourism Day with a powerful call for gender-responsive action. Through her statement, Mirza underscored that true progress in tourism and urban development cannot be celebrated unless girls and women can move freely without fear.
Dia Mirza highlights public safety concerns for girls
“A girl who feels safe enough to travel independently today becomes the woman who will move through the world with confidence tomorrow. And yet, for far too many of our girls, public spaces come with a “safety tax” a price paid in fear, in lost time, in constantly calculating routes, clothes, hours… and in dreams that quietly shrink before they even take flight.“
She further added “As I mark National Girl Child Day and National Tourism Day, I feel this truth deeply: we cannot celebrate movement, exploration, and freedom while so many girls are still navigating the gap between mobility and fear.”
View this post on Instagram
Dia Mirza’s statement draws a sharp contrast between the ideals of exploration and the lived reality of millions of girls and women, pointing out that mobility remains deeply unequal. Citing data from national and global reports, she highlighted that 40 percent of women in urban India still feel unsafe in their own cities, while incidents of harassment among girls and young women under 24 continue to rise. Globally, UN Women estimates that up to 70 percent of women experience harassment in public spaces, figures Mirza describes as a “trust deficit” that limits a girl’s world before it has fully opened.
Beyond social injustice, Mirza framed women’s safety as a critical economic issue. With tourism contributing nearly 10 percent to global GDP, she emphasized that exclusion driven by fear restricts access to education, employment and opportunity, ultimately slowing sustainable growth. Calling for visible and measurable action, from better lighting and safer public transport to zero tolerance for harassment, Mirza concluded that designing safer cities for girls creates safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone.
Dia Mirza urges people to spend more time in nature
Previously, the actress had shared a powerful statement to mark World Health Day. She had taken to her Instagram handle and shared a video of enjoying the mysteries of the wild with her son.
Wishing all her followers on World Health Day, Dia penned on her Instagram, “Happy WorldHealthDay Make a pledge to spend more time in Nature. Nature is a healer. “To Walk In Nature is to Witness a Thousand Miracles” – Mary Davis…”
Sharing her experience in the wild on social media, the actress added, “The crunch of the dry leaves, the mould of the cicadas, the many incredible aspects of what it means to be an, the markings of and the many questions answered.”
She was of the opinion that it is crucial for kids to have a relationship with nature. “Above all, this relationship our kids form with nature helps them value how deep our connection is with one another. This bond leads to love, respect and environmental stewardship. What better way to work towards improving the health of the environment and planet?,” she concluded her post.
