A few weeks ago Veronika Didusenko was crowned 2018’s Miss Ukraine. But she was soon stripped of her title for violating their rules. What rules, you might ask? She was previously married and she has a child. Apparently, Miss Ukraine cannot have been married, nor can she be a mother.
Didusenko told BBC:
In the 21st Century [the rules] are so discriminatory. They were written in 1951, 70 years ago, when even racial segregation was a norm.
Whereas Viktoria Kiose, the executive director of the pageant, responded…
This is a very unfortunate story. She signed the contract, and agreed to its conditions. She flouted the rules and lied to us, so we disqualified her.
Then Veronika took to Instagram to address the controversy directly.
The caption reads:
My name is Veronika. Not such a long time ago I was wearing a crown of Miss Ukraine 2018, a crown which would allow me to represent my country at the Miss World contest in China. I wanted to tell the world a unique story of my country ÛÒ home of truly heroic and freedom-loving people. Yet, my right to represent my country on the global scene was taken away from me because of the rules written 70 years ago. The archaic rules which ban mothers from the Miss Ukraine contest. The discriminatory rules which were written when racial segregation was still the norm. Worldwide the number of girls who participate in this contest amounts to millions. Millions of women are allowed to participate only if they donÛªt have children. In 2018 this is simply not right. This discrimination on the grounds of motherhood must end. This indirect encouragement of abortion must end. I AM LAUNCHING A FUNDRAISING COMPAIGN [sic] to deliver this message globally. With your help I will take the fight for the abolition of this disgraceful prehistoric rule to every major global capital. Time to stand up for a womenÛªs right not to be punished for being a mother. We must eliminate the last remaining rule which discriminates against women with children. #righttobeamother
People criticized the antiquated rules.
Not fair at all. So what???
— Conway Martin (@Conway2050) October 8, 2018
Why is having a child a reason to loose the crown ??? If anything, she should get extra prizes for looking so good after having a child. Ridiculous.
— Stefania Steward (@StewardStefania) October 8, 2018
Let me get this straight, Miss Ukraine lost her crown because of having a child. Seriously? Stripping a working mother of her crown is just petty. Hey Ukraine wake up and get with the times because working moms are freakin badass
— Bernice Marie (@BerniceMarie_) October 9, 2018
The situation also prompted a debate about rules and whether they’re meant to be broken.
Let me get this straight, Miss Ukraine lost her crown because of having a child. Seriously? Stripping a working mother of her crown is just petty. Hey Ukraine wake up and get with the times because working moms are freakin badass
— Bernice Marie (@BerniceMarie_) October 9, 2018
No. Not for having a child or being married. She lost it because she broke the rules. The rules said that a contestant could not have been married or have a child. She lied in her application.
— Sariira Ali Shareef (@sariiira) October 9, 2018
She had a reason to break those rules. Those rules are so backwards, they are forcing women to either MAYBE become miss Ukraine or not at all. ItÛªs just sickening.
— Bernice Marie (@BerniceMarie_) October 9, 2018
She lies in her application. And thatÛªs a major violation.
— Sariira Ali Shareef (@sariiira) October 9, 2018
News flash, everyone lies! She did it for a reason. I keep repeating that reason and it seems youÛªre ignoring it. Yea she lied, for the right reasons. This organization is beyond backwards and she decided that enough is enough. They need to get with the times
— Bernice Marie (@BerniceMarie_) October 9, 2018
But most felt the rules needed to be tossed out rather than Didusenko’s crown.
I think the whole issue is that the rules are ridiculous
— TheNog (@PauloNoggy) October 4, 2018
So what if she was married before and is a mom …. ridiculous rules!
— ¯¤ôã¯_¯¬ ªü (@zeynahg) October 4, 2018
…rules from “middle ages” should be revised…we live in 21st century now… my “smart” phone confirmed it…
— Natasha Thompson (@natashaceramics) October 5, 2018
Hopefully the rules will be changed for future contestants.
H/T: People, Instagram, Twitter
