Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Dia Mirza Urges Parents to Raise Sons With Empathy
Dia Mirza says parents should teach children to treat everyone with care and respect.
She is teaching her son Avyaan about empathy, kindness and personal boundaries.
She wants him to understand that people can show discomfort in different ways.
Children should notice and respect those signals.
Dia says consent means someone gives a willing and comfortable “yes.”
Silence or the absence of “no” does not automatically mean agreement.
She also says nobody owes anyone attention, affection or intimacy.
Rejection should not be treated as an insult or argued about.
She believes these lessons can help make the world safer for girls.
Dia Mirza says she teaches her son Avyaan care, respect, empathy and kindness toward everyone.
She wants Avyaan to understand personal boundaries and recognize subtle signs of discomfort.
Mirza says consent requires a willing and comfortable “yes,” not merely the absence of “no.”
She says rejection should not be viewed as an insult or challenged, negotiated or taken personally.
Mirza urges parents raising sons to help create a safer and more equitable world for girls.
- Who
- Actor and environmentalist Dia Mirza, speaking about raising her son Avyaan Azaad Rekhi.
- What
- Mirza discussed teaching her son empathy, respect, personal boundaries, consent and how to respond to rejection.
- When
- She shared the message in an Instagram post dated September 29, 2026.
- Where
- On Instagram.
- Why
- She believes these lessons can help create a safer, more equitable and healthier environment for girls.
- Parent
- Dia Mirza
- Son discussed
- Avyaan Azaad Rekhi
- Core values
- Care, respect, empathy and kindness
- Consent principle
- Consent requires a willing and comfortable “yes”
- Lesson about rejection
- Rejection should not be challenged, negotiated or taken personally
- Family
- Mirza also has a stepdaughter, Samaira Rekhi
- Message shared
- “Don’t raise girls to avoid harm. Raise boys who won’t cause harm.”
