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A beauty pageant planned for children aged 4 to 13 in Türkiye's southern province of Antalya has been canceled after the Ministry of Family and Social Services announced legal action against the organizers, while local authorities launched an investigation.
The event, titled "Little Miss and Little Mister United World," was called off following criticism from the ministry, which argued that judging children by their physical appearance and holding them to adult beauty standards violated children's rights and the principle of their best interests.
The Antalya Governor's Office confirmed the cancellation on Saturday, saying that administrative and legal proceedings were underway.
In its statement, the Ministry of Family and Social Services announced that it would file a criminal complaint over the planned competition, describing the practice of evaluating children according to their looks as unacceptable.
The ministry argued that placing children within beauty standards unsuitable for their age and development could undermine their physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.
It also criticized events that turn children into commercial assets, emphasizing that such activities were incompatible with children's rights and the principle of protecting their best interests.
"No commercial activity, promotion or organization is more valuable than the rights and well-being of our children," the ministry said.
Officials added that relevant departments had begun reviewing the matter and that all necessary legal and administrative measures would be taken to protect the children involved.
Following the ministry's announcement, the Antalya Governor's Office issued a separate statement confirming that the competition had been canceled and that an investigation had been launched.
The governor's office said reports circulating in the media and on digital platforms about the planned beauty pageant had prompted authorities to look into the organization.
It confirmed that the ministry had filed a criminal complaint and that the relevant administrative and legal procedures were being carried out.
The statement further emphasized that protecting children's physical, mental and psychosocial development, safeguarding their rights and shielding them from harmful influences remained the authorities' primary responsibilities.
Officials said the proceedings would be followed closely.
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