Over the weekend, I got to attend a beauty contest that was hosted by Chili's club.

This pageant stood out to me since it was about crowning Nakuru's current plus size queen. The event was a breath of fresh air in encouraging body positivity.

As the event's name suggests, the models that walked the runway were plus size in nature.

What made the event more empowering was the large turn out and the respectful support that the audience, especially men, offered the ladies as they confidently modelled down the runway.

Read: Nakuru gets a new Miss Plus Size Queen

In an exclusive interview with Mtaa Wangu, Leakey Odera, the brains behind Miss Plus Size Nakuru shared, “The competition was born out of the lack of representation of African bodies in beauty contests even though most of our ladies are curvy in nature.”

Leaky Odera, organizer of Miss Plus size contest held at Chili's club.

Photo credit: COURTESY

As I watched these curvy ladies walk down the runway, all I could do is marvel at how confident they were in their own skin, something majority of us, especially ladies, really struggle with.

While talking to Mtaa Wangu, Millicent Njuguna, a therapist, says the first step to body positivity is self-acceptance which stems from self-awareness.

Millicent Njuguna, a therapist based in Nakuru.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Ms Njuguna adds that activities that can help boost your self-image and confidence may look different for different people.

“For one, it may be wearing a dress that you only save for special occasions while for another it may be participating in a beauty contest.”

Also Read: RVIST Student Wins 'Miss Face of Nakuru' Title

Ivy Nyamwea, the current Miss Plus Size Nakuru 2023 agrees that the contest has been a great confidence boost to her.

"My confidence greatly grew after I got into the world of pageants and beauty contests. This was my sixth contest," she shares.

Body positivity is not a day's work. You will need to constantly work on and boost your confidence. Remember to embrace all parts of yourself, be it your curves, stretch marks and rolls.

All the best in growing your body positivity!

diligenceodongo@gmail.com

Related: Camera, lights, action: the making of Jim Gatani’s modelling career

Body positivity: Embracing the curves, confidently!

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Diligence Odongo