Burkina Faso Beauty Pageant Suspension: The Need to Regulate Without Stifling

Burkina Faso has temporarily suspended all beauty pageants across the country, a decision that took effect on June 8. The Ministry of Culture has announced that new regulatory texts are being developed to guide future competitions. This move has sparked varied reactions, with some citizens viewing it as an infringement on freedoms, while others celebrate it as a victory for morality.

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I am crazy. It's an open secret. People in the neighborhood, bar patrons, taxi drivers, and even some intellectuals have confirmed it to me. So, since I am crazy, allow me to talk about an issue that suddenly makes everyone very reasonable: the suspension, since last June 8, of beauty pageants in Burkina Faso, pending new regulatory texts.

The article reflects on the evolution of beauty pageants, suggesting that some have shifted from celebrating elegance to becoming "markets of appearance." It argues that the focus has often strayed from a contestant's intelligence, talent, or social engagement towards superficial physical attributes. The author notes a trend of sensationalism and the commodification of women's images in some events.

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For several years, some beauty pageants had ceased to be showcases of elegance and had become markets of appearance. By celebrating form, we ended up forgetting substance; by exposing bodies, we ended up hiding values.

However, the piece clarifies that the intention is not to abolish beauty pageants entirely, likening such an action to burning an entire field due to a few weeds. Many pageants have historically provided platforms for young women to build confidence, advocate for social causes, promote cultural heritage, and access professional or educational opportunities.

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The goal is not to sink the boat, but to avoid shipwreck.

The government's decision is framed as a necessary "dry-docking" for a ship that was taking on water. The suspension is intended to allow for a re-evaluation and redefinition of these competitions. The hope is that new regulations will refocus pageants on culture, intelligence, leadership, civic engagement, and the valorization of national assets, thereby preventing a potential "shipwreck" and ensuring they serve a more meaningful purpose.

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The problem is not beauty. God himself put beauty in flowers, in stars, and in human faces. The problem begins when beauty wants to become queen and drives dignity from its palace.