Miss Guinea, much more than a beauty contest
Since 2019, the Miss Guinea pageant had been on hiatus. In 2023, it made a remarkable comeback, under the banner of women’s empowerment and the fight against irregular migration. This new edition, rich in emotions and twists and turns, was closely followed by the Guinean and international public. A team of journalists followed every stage of the beauty pageant to produce a documentary broadcast on TV5 Monde entitled “Miss Guinée, c’est comme çà!”.
Under the impetus of Aminata Diallo, the new president of the organizing committee, the competition has evolved. She works as a family with her sister Binta Diallo in charge of coordination, and with a team of experts to create a quality event. Gone are the stereotypical beauty criteria, replaced by a competition that values the skills, projects and commitment of the candidates. The young women represent the five regions of Guinea: Boké, Conakry, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labé, Mamou and N’Zérékoré. This is an opportunity for these young women to showcase their talent and determination, and to promote their region’s heritage.
Women’s empowerment
The choice of the theme of female empowerment is not insignificant. In Guinea, as in many African countries, women face many challenges. By highlighting their skills and projects, Miss Guinea offers them a platform to make their voices heard and inspire other young women. The participation of Aïssatou Dioumo Diallo in 2023, a young woman with albinism, left a lasting impression and sparked much debate. Her journey showed that beauty is plural and that everyone has the right to be represented. She won the title of Second Runner-Up 2023. In 2024, it was Tiguidanké Bérété who won the Miss Guinea 2024 election.
Today, I stand here not only as a representative of Guinean beauty, but also as an ambassador of perseverance and hope. My wish is to inspire you to never give up, to believe in your dreams and to fight for what’s important to you, even when the challenges seem insurmountable.- Tiguidanké Bérété
An international impact
Thanks to the documentary produced by TV5 Monde, the Miss Guinea contest has gained international visibility. By highlighting the beauty of Guinea, its rich cultural heritage and the commitment of its young women, the documentary helped to change the country’s image. The success of this new edition is encouraging. It shows that beauty contests can be a vehicle for positive change. Miss Guinea is helping to build a fairer, more equitable society. It’s about giving young women the means to blossom and realize their ambitions.
Despite the progress made, many challenges remain. These include sustaining the contest, strengthening partnerships with local players and developing support programs for former Misses.
Miss Guinea is much more than just a beauty contest. It’s a real societal project aimed at promoting female emancipation and changing mentalities. Thanks to the commitment of Aminata Diallo and her team, the contest has become a symbol of hope for the younger generation.
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