What do pageants really celebrate? What purpose do they serve in today’s world?

INDIRA JOSHI
SINGER/MEDIA PERSONALITY

Pageants are often thought of as just beauty contests, but they actually celebrate much more than that. At their heart, pageants are about empowering women. They give young women a platform to showcase not only their looks but also their intelligence, talents, and advocacy for important causes. In today’s world, pageants remind us that beauty comes in many forms – strength, confidence, and the ability to make a difference.

Over the years, pageants have evolved. While appearance is still part of the competition, it’s not the main focus. Modern pageants are more about what contestants stand for and how they use their voice. Whether it’s advocating for mental health, environmental issues, or social justice, these women have a chance to bring attention to causes that matter to them and make a difference. This makes pageants relevant in today’s world where we’re increasingly looking to celebrate and uplift voices that want to make a positive impact.

Participating in a pageant also helps women grow personally. The process involves learning public speaking, handling interviews, and engaging in community service; all skills that are valuable beyond the competition. It’s a journey of self-discovery and building confidence, which can open doors to opportunities in various fields, from media to business to charity work.
In today’s society, where gender equality and women’s empowerment are key topics, pageants play a unique role. They are not just about celebrating beauty; they are about celebrating the power of women to bring positive change. Through pageants, we can see how women can inspire others and contribute to shaping a better world.

SRIJANA SHAKYA JYOTI
MANAGING DIRECTOR, SYAKAR TRADING COMPANY

Beauty pageants in Nepal generate a range of opinions. While some support and encourage them, others are more critical. Personally, I believe that well-structured pageants offer significant opportunities for Nepali girls to showcase their talents, build confidence, and advocate for causes they are passionate about.
The training process in these pageants often includes valuable lessons in public speaking, a skill that is essential in any career. Participants are also encouraged to stay informed about current affairs, societal issues, and the arts. This broadens their perspectives and helps them stay updated on both global and local matters. Regardless of the outcome, this experience allows participants to learn, cultivate interests, and remain engaged with the world around them.

In addition to these skills, participants gain knowledge in personal grooming and public presentation – skills that are invaluable in today’s world. Representing Nepal on international platforms through performances and traditional attire is also a wonderful way to promote our country and its culture.
However, with the rise in the number of beauty pageants, some may not provide the same level of value or opportunity. It is essential for contestants to evaluate whether a pageant will truly enrich their lives, offer new learning experiences, and present unique opportunities. If the pageant meets these criteria, I would encourage participation.

While beauty pageants often emphasize external appearance, which can be debated, the combination of beauty and intellect is undeniably powerful and admirable. So, I think credible beauty pageants celebrate the beauty and talent of women. All the things they learn during the training sessions teach them qualities that are imperative in today’s world, whether it be personal grooming, social causes, environmental issues, geo politics, etc.

ANUZA RAJBHANDARI SHRESTHA
CEO, EKADESMA

Pageants are an excellent avenue through which one can gain self-confidence and have a voice. In situations where women are to be subjugated, participating in a pageant is an experience that might just open one’s eyes. It gives them an opportunity to express themselves, show their talents, and step out into the open with confidence. This is empowerment that plays into other aspects of life, not merely those bound by the pageant stage.
More often than not, today’s pageants are focused on social causes so contestants will have a platform to speak for a cause that may mean something to their communities or society in general. Pageants bring forth dire issues and lead people to spread awareness among the public in Nepal, a country with so many issues at work. The challenges are at the forefront: gender inequality, education, and access to health facilities. Most contestants take up social causes and continue way beyond the pageant with their platform in an attempt to really bring in change.
It helps us to showcase our identity with our traditional dress, customs, and values in this culturally rich and diverse country of Nepal. They give us the opportunity to take pride in our cultural identity and share it with the world. Such representation goes a long way in fostering cultural understanding and preserving our unique culture in this fast-globalizing world.
Probably most often, women in pageants get to become role models for young generations. Basically, they represent that beauty encompasses intelligence, kindness, and also ambition. Therefore, in a world where young girls are searching for someone whom they could relate to, pageant contestants or winners would maybe encourage them to dream big, to pursue their ambitions, break barriers in business, politics, and the arts.
Pageants give gateways to so many opportunities, from career opportunities to exposure at the global platform. To many of these women in Nepal-especially the underrepresented or rural-these opportunities are life-changing. They create pathways for access to networks, resources, and platforms that can propel their personal and professional development.
Pageants are not being held to represent or add to the conventional stereotypes of beauty and womanhood today, but all about the motive of inclusiveness, celebrating women in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. That becomes very important in a society like ours, where a certain rigid standard of beauty often inhibits the way women see themselves.
Modern-day pageants are strong platforms for empowerment, advocacy, and celebration of culture and personal development. This is not about mere physical presentation; this is about the holistic growth and presentation of women in society. Being a Nepali woman, I believe these pageants are becoming an evolving space that constructively contributes both to individual life as well as broader societal change.
Empowerment, advocacy, cultural celebration, and personal development are merely the means to positively affect the lives of people in a bid to help change societies.