Married Women and Mothers Allowed: Miss Universe Rule Change
Miss. Universe 2019, Zozi Zuni, and other contestants
Miss Universe Pageant
The Miss Universe pageant Organization (MUO) has made a historic change in 70 years. Miss Universe was founded in 1952 and televised in 1955. Today it has over 190 countries participating. Miss Universe typically takes place end of the year for over two weeks.
The global Miss Universe pageant allows contestants to prove themselves deserving of the title and showcases how women are occupying leadership positions worldwide. The current crowned Miss Universe joins the group of young women during this time.
Top 3 contestants at Miss Universe 2021
Human's Personal Decisions
In recent years, Miss Universe has brought great awareness to body image, holding important conversations about body image, appearance, certain stigmas, and other controversial topics. It is about time pageants begin breaking stereotypes and create an inclusive space for women all around the world.
Since Miss Universe 2021, when Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu was crowned, the organization as a whole has made drastic changes. An internal memo seen by The National said, "We all believe that women should have agency over their lives and that a human's personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success".
Women are evolving and the Miss Universe organization is an evolving platform, which now welcomes mothers and married women. The national director of Miss Universe Bahrain, Josh Yugen, spoke up as well about breaking stereotypes and unlearning the stigma which has been forced by the old society many decades ago.
Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu
Miss Universe Organization New Rule Details
Reportedly, Miss Universe has updated its rules and now welcomes wives and mothers to compete for the crown. This is history in the making. These new rules will take effect for the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, held in 2023.
Since the formation of Miss Universe, only single women, who were not married and did not have children, ages 18 to 28, were allowed to participate.
Miss Universe is known to be a global and inclusive organization which celebrates women of all cultures and backgrounds. It focuses on women's empowerment and building self-confidence, creating opportunities to set women up for success.
Titleholders and delegates can cultivate their goals and move forward by initiating change in their personal lives, as well as impacting on a global scale. Due to its recent rule change, we are expecting married young women as well as mothers to participate. Some have inquired, and the age bracket will remain the same.
Married Women and Mothers Allowed To Participate
Miss Universe pageant accepts married women and women with children. Looking back at history, Botswana's Mpule Kwelagobe answered a question on stage about whether a Miss Universe should continue her duties should she become pregnant during her reign. Her belief is a woman should celebrate her femininity. It has been over 20 years since this moment, and Miss Universe has taken effect to allow married women and mothers to compete.
The organization under Paula Shugart's (President) and Amy Emmerich's (CEO) leadership continues to evolve to best support women globally.
Pregnant Women
A former Miss Universe, Andrea Meza, spoke up about how it is time for this change to occur. Many are in their 20s pregnant, married, and/or with children and would love to participate. This new rule will allow women to begin or enhance their careers in all fields including entertainment.
We expect women from all walks of life to be inspired to move forward with their dreams and vision, and not be held back by any barriers. This change will open doors for women with families and create opportunities for women to feel included.
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza
Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza, spoke up as a change ambassador about this new rule. "I honestly love that this is happening," she told Insider in an exclusive interview. Life as a Miss Universe is very serious, demanding, and can be tiring.
Mothers and wives should not be disqualified. Many other industries hire women into leadership positions, such as CEO and executive, regardless if they have a family or not, and the MUO believes it should not be any different in pageantry.
Miss Universe 2020, Andrea Meza
Conclusion
There have been enough conversations since the announcement of this new rule in the pageant community of whether this decision was essential. Society changes and evolves, and the Miss Universe Organization is acknowledging that the marital and parental status should not be a factor which holds women back from pursuing a dream.
MUO has altered the eligibility rules to allow married women and mothers to participate, which opens doors to a wider demographic in the beauty pageant. A beautiful woman is one who can inspire others to take up space in this world and become the woman she was born to be.
Some pageant fans are for this change, while others believe it is unnecessary. Though opinions vary, I would love to hear from you.
What are your thoughts on this historic change made by the MUO?
Other pageant-related blog posts for you to read:
https://www.kristinakovalevich.com/blog/what-to-wear-to-a-pageant-as-a-guest
https://www.kristinakovalevich.com/blog/transformation
https://www.kristinakovalevich.com/blog/culturalsetbacks
