Actor-Activist Dia Mirza Talks About Climate Change, Women Safety and Reforms

At the day long conclave titled “Wellness Rules-Proactive Well Being“ organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the women business wing of the national business body FICCI celebrated the International Women’s Day with the launch of an online App ‘I am Trolled’ for women, announced by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi.

Speaking at the conclave, actor Dia Mirza expressed her views on environmental issues, women safety and reforms.

Excerpts:

Environmental issues

Air pollution is a severe threat to our economy, health and well-being. We can do everything to change it. And it can possibly be done. Other countries have deployed constitutional amendments and have enforced laws to ensure people maintain better public practice in the industry, cooperation and everyday life.

One of the air pollutants is poor waste management. We do not segregate our waste. We have our batteries being burnt which adds to the toxic gases like monoxide and sulphate. We talk about India being the heart-attack capital, the rise in diabetes, young children with asthma, impaired lung growth, and there are about 20 lakh street children living in the country exposed to this environmental hazard. Do we really think about the impact it has on them? It is vicious and really needs to change. And the only way it can change is through awareness, active communication and the demand for change.

International Women’s Day

Women are the nucleus of the society, and with them becoming aware, it will help empower our society and make a difference not just to the country and the world but to their families. It starts with the immediate response and the environment around us. Every woman who is socially aware and is financially independent is empowering the nation. I am a firm believer in equality. If I give respect, I get respect. And I expect the same respect.

I always speak about the environment because it ties everything up - the independent needs of our children, especially from the marginalized backward parts of the society. It ties in the need of every single individual in the country. We talk about education, health, roti kapada aur makaan but nobody talks about the environment, that’s impacting us the most.

Women Reforms

Politicising education, healthcare, religion – all of these are so harmful. There are other topics of discussion to address, to be able to change and improve the lives of many people. Why do we waste our time in hate? Why have we forgotten how to debate healthily? Positively? It’s true that I may not agree with your opinion, why can’t we communicate with dignity, without harassing people. A woman who is threatened on social media can tweet #iambeingtrolled and you will have a response, that’s the assurance from the government. The idea of a debate is always distorted and ruined. There is a right to freedom of expression. I am not saying there is no room for agreement, there can be in certain instances, but the problem is that, we have forgotten how to debate. We do everything with a great sense of hate and try to make a personal attack. That’s the problem. I don’t believe that women in our country should allow that to become a deterrent, they should be allowed to speak up so that your voice can be heard. Become proactive about seeking security, safety and continue to use your voice.