Every year thousands of pageants are held around the world. Many of these pageants are about empowerment and celebrating femininity. But in an ever-changing world, where many traditional roles of women continue to evolve, is femininity mainly defined by a woman’s physical beauty and grace as pageants often perpetuate? Do pageants encourage the fetishisation of women’s bodies? Are male bodies fetishised in the male pageants? Do pageants promote unity along with personal development?
In Guyana many pageants are held throughout the year. There are children’s pageants, male pageants, gay pageants, but most pageants feature young women. We also have pageants like the Mother and Daughter pageant which is held around Mother’s Day and Ms. Renaissance which features older women. However, most local pageant contestants are judged on physical appearance, talent and intelligence. Pageants are often held during festivals, anniversaries, to celebrate pride and culture or to select a representative for regional or international pageants.