Ajmer Ki Ladkiya Kha Hain (Where are the Girls of Ajmer City)

In the bustling city of Ajmer, young women are present everywhere—walking to school, attending tuition classes, and navigating daily routines—yet they remain largely invisible in public spaces after dark. Ajmer Ki Ladkiyan Kahan Hain? (Where Are the Girls of Ajmer City?), directed by three young women—Santra, Renu, and Nameera—explores how fear, restrictive social norms, and unsafe urban environments limit young women’s freedom to fully inhabit their city.

Through cameras, conversations, and street explorations, the filmmakers document everyday barriers related to lighting, walkability, surveillance, and social attitudes that shape women’s experiences of the city. Their stories reveal both the constraints and the resilience of young women who are determined to claim their right to safe and inclusive public spaces.

More than a documentary, the film transforms observation into action. By turning lived experiences into dialogue and collective reflection, it challenges communities and decision-makers to recognise that housing does not end at the doorstep. Safe streets, accessible public spaces, and gender-responsive urban planning are essential to ensuring that cities truly provide dignity, safety, and belonging for all residents.

By positioning young women as key stakeholders and changemakers, the film aligns closely with the World Urban Forum theme of people-centred urban development and highlights the vital role of youth leadership in building safer, more inclusive, and resilient communities.