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Dia Mirza: Actor, producer and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza has used the occasion of National Girl Child Day and National Tourism Day to spotlight a critical but often overlooked issue: the direct connection between girls’ safety and their freedom of movement. In her statement, she stressed that progress in tourism, urban development, and economic growth cannot be considered meaningful unless girls and women are able to move through public spaces without fear or restriction.

Public Safety and the Reality of Everyday Fear

Mirza highlighted how safety concerns silently shape the daily decisions of millions of girls and women. She explained that for many, stepping into public spaces involves an invisible cost, one paid through constant alertness, altered travel routes, limited timings, and even choices around clothing. This ongoing calculation, often referred to as a safety burden, restricts spontaneity and confidence, slowly shrinking aspirations before they are fully formed. According to her, a girl who feels secure traveling independently today is far more likely to grow into a confident, self-reliant woman tomorrow.

National Observances and an Unequal Experience of Mobility

Marking National Girl Child Day alongside National Tourism Day, Mirza drew attention to the contrast between the celebration of exploration and the lived reality of restricted mobility for girls. While tourism promotes ideas of freedom, discovery, and cultural exchange, these ideals remain inaccessible for many due to fear in public spaces. She noted that celebrations of movement and travel ring hollow when a large section of society still experiences anxiety simply while commuting within their own cities.

Urban India and the Trust Deficit in Public Spaces

Referring to data from national and international reports, Mirza pointed out that nearly 40 percent of women in urban India still feel unsafe in their own cities. This insecurity is even more pronounced among girls and young women under the age of 24, where reports of harassment continue to rise. On a global level, estimates from UN Women suggest that up to 70 percent of women experience some form of harassment in public spaces during their lifetime. Mirza described this situation as a trust deficit, one that limits a girl’s world long before she has the chance to fully explore it.

Women’s Safety as an Economic and Development Issue

Beyond social justice, Mirza framed women’s safety as a key economic concern. With tourism contributing close to 10 percent of global GDP, fear-driven exclusion has far-reaching consequences. When girls and women avoid travel, education opportunities, or certain jobs due to safety concerns, economies lose talent, productivity, and diversity. She emphasized that limited mobility directly affects access to employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship, slowing down inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Role of Tourism and Inclusive Urban Design

Mirza stressed that tourism thrives on openness, accessibility, and trust. Cities that fail to ensure safe environments risk alienating not just women residents but also female travelers. She argued that gender responsive urban planning, including well-lit streets, reliable public transport, visible security, and responsive policing, plays a vital role in building confidence. Safer infrastructure benefits everyone, from local commuters to international tourists, and enhances a city’s global reputation.

From Awareness to Action for Safer Cities

Concluding her message, Mirza called for visible and measurable action rather than symbolic gestures. She advocated for zero tolerance toward harassment, stronger accountability mechanisms, and community engagement to reclaim public spaces. According to her, designing cities that prioritize girls’ safety leads to more inclusive, vibrant, and resilient urban environments. When girls can move freely without fear, societies move closer to genuine equality, and tourism becomes a shared experience rather than a privilege.