Miss World Competition Is ‘Problematic’ Despite Swimsuit Round Removal: 2014 Pageant Still ‘Creates An Expectation On Young Women And Girls’

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The Miss World competition will be dropping its swimsuit round shortly after the winner of the 2014 pageant, Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss, was announced, according to USA Today.

Despite the removal of the swimsuit round, the Miss World competition still received criticism, although it is taking the steps towards the right direction.

Roz Hardie, chief executive of women’s rights group Object reportedly told the Telegraph that the Miss World competition still remains “problematic” as it “creates an expectation on young women and girls to look a certain way and puts pressures on the body," according to the U.K.'s The Independent.  

Julia Morley, the Miss World chairwoman, reportedly announced the 2014 decision to remove the swimsuit round.

“It’s not just a beauty contest, it’s ‘beauty with a purpose.’ There didn’t seem to be a purpose to have the swimsuit,” explained Chris Wilmer, national director of Miss World America/Miss United States tell ABC.

He added, “Miss World should be a spokesperson who can help a community. She’s more of an ambassador, not a beauty queen.”

The international pageant will reportedly be looking to focus on other assets the contestants have, executives announced last week.

“I don’t care if someone has a bottom two inches bigger than someone else’s,” Morley told Elle on December 12, according to the NY Daily News

She added, “We are really not looking at her bottom. We are really listening to her speak.”

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