HAKILI Mousso: Burkina Faso suspends beauty pageants, then launches science competition for girls

Burkina Faso suspended beauty pageants on June 8, 2026, while new rules are prepared to better regulate them and uphold the country’s cultural identity, moral values and human dignity. In September, the presidency held HAKILI Mousso, a science competition for 84 female high-school graduates under 21, covering mathematics, physics and chemistry; 15 contestants were honored on September 19. Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo described the initiative as a way to challenge prejudices that discourage girls from pursuing science. President Ibrahim Traoré met the winners and said the competition could open to boys the following year.