Newly crowned Miss Universe speaks about sexual harassment and AIDS
LAS VEGAS — Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters didn’t shy away when asked to comment on sexual harassment just after being crowned.
“If women take hands and stand together, we are unbreakable,” said the 22-year-old representative from South Africa, “and we can say no to the things that are wrong in the workplace, at home or wherever you might go.”
In the U.S., dozens of politicians, Hollywood executives and actors, and media personalities are facing accusations of sexual misconduct, sparked by a wave of allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
The topic arose during the Nov. 26 competition when a fan- submitted question asked why it’s important for men and women to work together to address the issue of sexual misconduct.
Nel-Peters is from the South African coastal community of Sedgefield in the Western Cape province. She helped develop a program to train women in selfdefense in various situations after she was robbed at gunpoint a month after she was crowned as Miss South Africa.
She also said she wants to champion other causes during her yearlong reign.
“HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that,” she said after the event.
Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This year’s edition had the most contestants ever, including the first representatives in its history of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal.
Nel-Peters earned a yearlong salary and a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign as well as more prizes.