The pageant took on a decidedly more inclusive tone this year
This year's Miss Universe brought forth relevant and pressing issues faced by the world today, with the contenders asked to weigh in on what it means for women to be in charge. Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos, top five finalist, was asked how the world would be different in more women were in charge. And according to her, women would lead by example through words and actions.
"Women are leaders by nature. We have the power to raise our voice and make transcendental decisions in society as role models, and we can be an example not just with words but with actions," she responded. "That's why women raising her voice as in this platform called Miss Universe. We are taking charge of our lives and deciding what we want to abort to the society in order to make it a better way.”
Later, the remaining three finalists were asked to give advice to young women on what advice they would give to women who are feeling the pressures of society.
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Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu said the youth need to stop comparing themselves to others and talk about more important things happening worldwide.
"Come out and speak for yourself because you are the leader of your life, you are the voice of your own. I believed in myself, and that's why I'm standing here today," she said.
Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira said that women should join hands in order to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
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"I want all women, all persons watching in this moment to join forces to do what you're meant to do, because you can do it, because no matter the situation, you can overcome it and you'll always be victorious," she added.
Miss South Africa Lalela Lali Mswane also encouraged women to choose courage and to rise up despite the world making them believe that they cannot achieve what they want.
"To choose courage over comfort at every opportunity they get. I would like women to know that since the beginning of time, they've had anything—everything, rather—within them to achieve anything they've wanted. It is unfortunately the world that convinced them they do not," she said.
Miss India was later crowned as Miss Universe 2021, with Miss Paraguay placing first runner up, and Miss South Africa named second runner up.
Vaccine mandates
Meanwhile, the issue on vaccine mandate also came up in the competition, with top five finalist Miss Philippines Beatrice Luigi Gomez asked to express her opinion on the implementation of a vaccine passport. Gomez said the mandating vaccines is "necessary" and she would agree with it if would help alleviate the pandemic.
"I believe that public health is everyone’s responsibility, and to mandate vaccine inoculation is necessary. If mandating vaccine passports would help us in regulating the rollouts of the vaccine, and mitigate the situation of the pandemic today, then I would agree on mandating the necessary passport of vaccination," she said.
Vaccine mandates have been a divisive topic across the world, with opposition coming out against every compulsory policy on the jabs.