Beauty contest held to raise awareness on disabilities

In Russia, a beauty contest was organized called ‘Miss Independence’. The contest was set up by and for people with disabilities. The people who organized it and competed in the competition, want to show that people with disabilities can be wonderful, beautiful and independent. In Russia, 13 million people have a disability and they often do not get enough opportunities. People with disabilities often do not enjoy an equal position in Russian society, and the way people think about disabilities is often incorrect. By organizing the beauty contest, the organizers want to try and change that.

A beauty contest called ‘Miss Independence’ was organized in Russia for and by people with disabilities, in order to increase awareness on disabilities and to change society’s attitudes towards persons with disabilities.

All contestants were in a wheelchair and stood behind the message that the event brought forward: ‘The contest is called ‘Miss Independence’ and I guess we want to show society that women in wheelchairs can be wonderful and beautiful’, Project Director Maria said.
In addition, volunteer Olga Persyanova stated that ‘some people think that disabled people deserve to be pitied – well, maybe ‘deserve’ is not the correct word – people assume that’s their destiny. We are showing that this is far from the way it is’.

Around 13 million Russians daily face a lack of adapted facilities and many prejudices towards their situation. The organizers and contestants of ‘Miss Independence’ hope to gradually change that, for starters by organizing this event.

Source: Euronews