Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and past Miss Universe and Miss SA pageant queen Zozi Tunzi.
Image via Instagram
Moms, married women eligible for Miss Universe: Is Miss SA next?
Miss Universe has changed its rules to allow moms and married woman to participate – but will Miss SA follow suit?
Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and past Miss Universe and Miss SA pageant queen Zozi Tunzi.
Image via Instagram
In a landmark decision, the Miss Universe pageant has amended its requirements for participation, now including married women and mothers in their competition. But whilst the news marks new territory for pageant queens, will Miss SA follow suit?
The international pageant revealed the news in an internal communication, according to the New York Post.
The updated regulations will come into effect in 2023 in the 72nd edition of Miss Universe.
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MISS UNIVERSE AMENDS ITS REQUIREMENTS
According to the publication, married women and mothers will now be eligible to enter Miss Universe.
“We all believe that women should have agency over their lives . That a human’s personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success”.
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Confirming the news, the national director of Miss Universe Josh Yugen said: “The Miss Universe Organisation is always the greatest and most innovative platform of its kind . Now it will be more inclusive and welcoming to mothers and married women.
“For me, this is aligned with what I have been fighting for: breaking stereotypes and unlearning the stigma that the old society has forced on us from many many decades ago”.
Despite the new rules, the age requirement of 18-28 will remain in place.
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WHAT DOES MISS SA SAY?
When contacted by The South African on the international pageant would affect Miss SA, organisers revealed that “the whole team is hands on deck with judging and production” of Saturday’s pageant and would “revert next week”.
According to its 2022 eligibility requirements, married women are not permitted to enter Miss SA
It stated: “Due to international regulations the applicant cannot have been married nor had a marriage annulled. Miss SA is also required to remain unmarried until after competing in the international competition, subject to her placement therein”.
On the topic of motherhood, it stated: “the applicant cannot be pregnant, have given birth to or parented a child”.
It added: “The Miss SA Organisation is actively reviewing this requirement in the context of international competition rules. [It] hopes to implement meaningful change in the future”.
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