In an unusual move, Russia organized a beauty pageant for its female prison wardens. Russian Department of Prisons has named the beauty contest ‘Miss Panel System Contest 2021’. The beauty contest is being organized by the Federal Department of Prisons.
As per the media report, voting is underway to select the best female prison warden. 12 finalists contended for the crown after being selected from 100 contestants who won their local competitions. The contest concluded last week on Friday.
No kidding!
Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service has an annual Miss Penal System contest.
12 of the country’s most beautiful prison guards are battling it out to be named lock-up lady of the year.Russia must have a high repeat offender rate. 😂https://t.co/JuZgjDYsi5
— PeakServe (@XallyWho) June 9, 2021
https://twitter.com/27khv/status/1402515973782093824?s=20
Female prison wardens were expected to send their short videos dancing, glamourizing their profession, and promoting the beauty of their region. They were also expected to submit their pictures in uniforms and in evening wear which will be judged by the panel consisting mostly males. The contest is expected to declare the winner as the Lady Lock-up of the Year.
The beauty contest attracted criticism from women’s rights activist, Nastya Krasilnikova, who called the contest a mere attempt to objectify women. She said that the content encourages people to view the contestants as objects, ‘that can be admired, that can be lusted after, but that is not interesting in any other way.’
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Ms. Krasilnikova said ahead of the event: ‘Although they are wearing uniforms, these photos are about so-called beauty.
‘Why is objectifying bad? Because it teaches to treat women as objects, not living individuals.
Miss Penal System Contest 2021: Russia Organizes Beauty Pageant For Female Prison Wardens; Unveils Pictures of 12 Finalists #MissPenalSystemContest2021 #RussiaFemalePrisonWardens #Russia BeautyPageanthttps://t.co/OrMI9gcX3Q
— LatestLY (@latestly) June 10, 2021
‘As objects that can be admired, that can be lusted after, but that is not interesting in any other way… It is sad and bitter.’
However, this is not the first time any government agency in Russia has organized a beauty pageant to promote its work. In 2019, the National Guard held its competition, the ‘Beauty of Rosgvardia’, won by police officer Anna Khramtsova from Sverdlovsk Region.
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Khramtsova gained popularity on Instagram after winning the contest before being fired out for breaching protocol after she posted a video, from the Rosgvardia facility.