A pageant contestant from Myanmar, Han Lay used her moment in the spotlight to ask for urgent international help for her country as security forces have taken over the country killing hundreds of people.
For critics, beauty pageants are old-fashioned competitions that value women only based on their beauty. For fans, these pageants are a platform for showcasing women empowerment with a special focus on beauty, diversity and intelligence. While for many, these competitions are all about looks, fashion, and make-up. But have you ever thought that the platform can even be used by a pageant contestant to ask for international aid for her country?
Yes! A pageant contestant from Myanmar has used her moment in the spotlight to ask for urgent international help for her country as security forces have taken over the country killing hundreds of people. The appeal was made by a Yangon University student Han Lay at the Miss Grand International pageant held in the Thai capital Bangkok.
“Please help Myanmar. We need your urgent international help right now.”
“Today in my country, Myanmar, while I am going to be on this stage, there are so many people dying, more than 100 people died today. I am deeply sorry for all the people who have lost their lives.”
Han Lay, in Bangkok, while competing for the Miss Grand crown against 63 other contestants, hit out at the military crackdown and deadly violence going on in her homeland, in which more than a hundred civilians have been killed. She used the platform for asking international help for her country and also raised her voice against the human rights violations by the military of Myanmar.
State of emergency in Myanmar:
Myanmar’s military seized control of the country in February and declared a year-long state of emergency. Since then, mass protests have been taking place in Myanmar in order to restore the system of democracy. Also, many elected leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party were also detained by the military. Many civilians have also lost their lives while protesting for democracy.
Han Lay was part of the protests:
Han Lay has been seen supporting the nationwide protests on her Instagram page. She even shared ways for people so that they can donate to the cause. Han Lay also became part of the protests against the military crackdown in the month of February.