By Sam Banda Jnr & Jimmy Chazama:
Organisers of the Miss Malawi beauty pageant have said that this year they are going nationwide with scouting including rural areas.
Miss Malawi spokesperson Stephen Mdala said Monday that the move is aimed at reaching out to all girls and women for equal representation.
With the second phase of applications already underway, Mdala said this year they want participation from both urban and rural areas.
“We are done with the first phase that involved online applications and now we are talking physical reaching out to those that missed out on the first phase,” Mdala said.
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He also said that they want to reach out to universities and colleges in the country for students’ participation hence also targeting areas like Mzuzu, Blantyre, Lilongwe, Zomba and Thyolo.
These places are home to public universities such as Mzuzu University, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, University of Malawi and Malawi University of Science and Technology.
“We are doing road shows in every district and trading centres to encourage girls to apply. We want every district to be covered with physical applications so that no one is left behind,” Mdala said.
He also said the initiative is meant to spotlight the country’s diverse culture.
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“We have over 13 tribes in country, and each contestant should be able to showcase where she comes from. If a contestant represents a district that area will exposed. We want people to see the richness of our culture through the contestants,” Mdala said.
He said as organisers they were hopeful that the new approach will motivate girls from rural areas to take part in the beauty contest.
“This is what we have always wanted to do, but we have struggled because of inadequate resources. Now we are making sure that every district is represented,” he said.
He also said that they are working with traditional leaders and local government officials to ensure smooth coordination at district level.
“We are engaging district commissioners and traditional authorities so that the process is inclusive and respectful of local structures,” Mdala said.
Recently The Daily Times reported that there was no inclusivity in the Miss Malawi beauty pageant with girls in the rural areas sidelined.
