Bagaman hindi tutol sa pagbabago ng polisiya ng Miss Universe Organization kung saan bubuksan na ang kompetisyon maging sa kababaihang dati o kasalukuyang may-asawa, may agam-agam ang Miss Universe 2016 finalist para sa mga buntis, at ganap na inang maaaring maging titleholder.
Ito ang reaksyon ni Miss USA 2016 at Miss Universe Top 9 na si Deshauna Barber sa pagbabago ng polisiya ng Miss Universe simula 2023.
“I can absolutely understand married women, but pregnant women and women with children is confusing to me because the title requires constant travel and a slammed schedule for the entire year. I am not understanding how you can be a mom during that time,” bahagi ng pahayag ni Deshauna nitong Sabado.
Inulan ng batikos si Barber kasunod ng isinapublikong punto dahilan para linawin niyang hindi siya tutol sa pagbubukas ng Miss Universe sa mas marami pang kababaihan.
”I do not disagree with the decision, I just don’t understand it and would like to understand what their plan is to accommodate pregnant women and/or women with children,” aniya.
Dagdag ni Barber, “I think morally and ethically it is great to be inclusive. Logistically I am confused at how someone can have such a demanding year as a Miss USA or Miss Universe while pregnant and/or have children.”
Naging debate online ang bagong desisyon ng MUO na nagbibigay ng oportunidad para sa mga may-asawa, anak o buntis na kababaihan sa prestihiyusong pageant.
“We believe women should have agency over their lives, and that a human’s personal decisions should not be a barrier to their success. Recent data also shows that the average age of marriage for women and first-time pregnancy, globally begins at 21,”saad ng MUO sa isang liham na ipinadala sa mga national directors.
Samantala sa Pilipinas, wala pang reaksyon ang Miss Universe Philippines kaugnay sa nabanggit na pagbabago sa polisiya ng MUO.
Si Barber na dating bahagi ng United States Armed Forces, ang kinatawan ng Amerika sa Miss Universe 2016 competition na naganap sa Pilipinas.