InfoSearched
Published -
- August 11, 2018
- 11:22 am
Miss World
Current Miss World, India’s Manushi Chhillar, is a medical student who is using her new found fame to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene around the world.
Why are beauty contests like Miss World increasingly focusing on social causes?
India’s Campaigning Miss World
Manushi Chhillar, a 20-year-old medical student from India, made history when she was crowned Miss World 2017 in November. But it was not just her poise, grace and beauty that caught everyone’s attention. It was also her campaign on menstrual hygiene, which she launched during the pageant.
India has the highest number of women and girls in the world who lack access to menstrual hygiene products, leading to health problems and social taboo. Chhillar’s campaign, called ‘Project Shakti’, aims to raise awareness about this issue and provide sanitation facilities to girls in rural areas.
In an interview with BBC, Chhillar said, “I feel that menstrual hygiene is very important because it allows women to lead an unobstructed life. My aim is to break the taboo surrounding menstruation and help girls access hygienic products.”
Chhillar’s campaign has earned her praise from many people, including India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. In a tweet, he said, “India is proud of Manushi Chhillar… Her win at the Miss World is an inspiration to young women in India.”
Chhillar is not the only beauty queen who has used her platform to campaign for social causes. Miss Jamaica and Miss South Africa have also focused on issues related to mental health and education, respectively.
The Miss World pageant, which started in 1951, has evolved from being merely a beauty contest to one focused on social causes. Contestants are judged not only on their physical appearance but also on their intelligence, talent and ability to make a positive impact in the world.
Chhillar’s win has brought attention to India’s menstrual hygiene problem and her campaign has inspired many to take action. With her newly acquired fame, Chhillar is determined to use her platform to make a difference in the lives of girls and women in her country.
In a world where beauty pageants are often criticised for objectifying women, Chhillar’s win is a reminder that such contests can be used as a platform to raise awareness about important social issues.
