French ban child beauty pageants

The French parliament has voted to ban beauty pageants for children under 16, in an effort to defend youngster’s rights.

Anyone who enters a child into such a contest would face up to two years in prison and €30,000Any in fines, according to the measure. The legislation must go to the lower house of parliament for further debate and another vote.

The Senate approved the measure 197-146, as part of a law on women’s rights.

The amendment says it is aimed at protecting children from danger and being prematurely forced into roles of seduction that harm their development.

Beauty pageants involving girls of all ages heavily made up and dressed up, regularly spark public debate in France.