We want to empower young women; not to exploit them!
AYV Miss University 2013 Organising Committee would like to bring to the attention of the public that all contestants for this year’s program:
i) must be University or college students
ii) must be 18 years or above
iii) must complete an AYV Miss University application form.
Based on the set criteria, all tertiary students qualify. If AYV Miss University Organising Committee thinks that an applicant is not suitable after we have conducted an audition/interview we have the right to refuse that applicant the chance to participate in our pageant.
When we started organising the annual AYV Miss University Pageant in 2011, we had three clearly defined objectives in mind:
i) We want to provide the right platform for our young women at tertiary level to showcase their talent and education in an innovative way to place our country at par with the world. Young people have immense talents but they often lack the right platform to demonstrate their abilities. It is this platform that we want to provide.
ii) We want to change the local perception of beauty contests from negative to positive. We are aware that here our people perceive beauty contests as means of exploiting the vulnerability of our young women, especially their feminity. It is this perception that we want to change.
iii) We want to use our annual beauty pageant as a platform of education and advocacy tool to promote good causes and campaign against issues affecting young people. Today our young people are plagued by a myriad of social challenges; from violence and drug abuse to HIV/Aids and teenage pregnancy. We want to use our annual beauty pageant to raise awareness about these challenges and mobilise relevant support geared towards positive behavioural change among our young people.
In this vein, AYV would like to appeal to the general public to please settle personal issues with contestants away from the AYV competition. The mission and vision of the annual AYV pageant is to empower young women in Sierra Leone, rather than exploiting them. That is why we have endeavoured to involve the relevant authorities in the entire process.
As we look forward to another successful event on Friday 29th November, 2013 at the Family Kingdom, we take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support.
Signed: AYV Miss University 2013 Organising Committee
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