Burkina Faso has suspended all beauty pageants across the country while officials draw up new rules for the events. The government has also launched a national science competition for young women.
The ban means no beauty pageant may be organised in the West African country until the new rules come into force, The South African reported.
The Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism said it was writing rules to make sure pageants follow a stricter and more consistent system.
According to the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB), the government said the move would give it more control over the sector. It said the step would also protect the country’s cultural identity, social values and human dignity.
The ministry said the plan was part of efforts to keep and promote the country’s cultural heritage. It said this was in line with the government’s policy direction.
Officials said the new rules would aim to uphold moral and social values, ethical principles and human dignity.
The ministry said no permits for beauty pageants would be issued while the new system is being prepared. It said it would check that organisers obey the suspension.
The announcement did not give a date for when the new rules would be introduced. It also did not say when pageants could start again.
For now, organisers cannot get permission to hold a pageant. The South African reported that the ban could affect organisers, sponsors and contestants who use the events to build careers and contacts.
It is not yet clear whether the new rules will bring entry requirements, event standards or other conditions for organisers.
Burkina Faso has also introduced HAKILI Mousso. It is a national competition meant to find and encourage talented young women in science.
According to the government’s official information service, 84 candidates from across the country took part in September 2026. They competed in mathematics, physics and chemistry.
The competition offered prizes and scholarships to help the young women with their studies, the government said.
The science competition came after the pageant ban. However, officials have not said that one was meant to replace the other.
The government has not announced a date for when beauty pageants may resume in Burkina Faso.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.