Dia Mirza urges parents to raise sons with consent, respect

Actor Dia Mirza has called on parents to teach sons empathy, consent and respect, in a social media post on Tuesday, 29 September. Her message comes as alleged rape and sexual assault cases involving women and minors in Delhi-NCR and Bihar have renewed safety concerns. The Supreme Court on Monday, 28 September, took suo motu cognisance of recent cases and sought a response from Delhi Police, stating that public spaces cannot become 'zones of high risk'.

In an Instagram post, Mirza wrote: 'Don't raise girls to avoid harm. Raise boys who won't cause harm.' She said she teaches her five-year-old son Avyaan that consent is 'not merely the absence of a no, it is the presence of a willing and comfortable yes'. Hindustan Times and ABP Live report that she urged parents to teach sons empathy, respect and how to handle rejection without treating it as an insult. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times on Thursday, 1 October, Mirza said parents should speak openly about sex and pornography with older children, and encourage boys to call out disrespect towards women.