Registration for Miss Rwanda 2014 is now open. Interested girls can register at designated points in all districts of the country.Speaking during a recent news conference, the Minister of Sports and Culture Mitali Protais, said the annual national beauty pageant was postponed to January 2014 to match with various international beauty pageant calendars that the next face of Rwanda will have to attend including Miss Universe. This means that reigning Miss Rwanda 2012, Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda will still hold the coveted title until February 22, 2014 when her successor will be known. Kayibanda was crowned Miss Rwanda in September last year.Under this year’s theme: My beauty, my skills, my tools for self reliance, Miss Rwanda 2014 will be a platform for women empowerment, building their confidence and capacities. It’s about showcasing abilities using their beauty and skills, for an ultimate purpose of dignifying the Rwandan nation. Interested contestants can apply online at www.missrwanda.rw or fill registration forms available in all districts. Other venues for registration are the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Gender Ministers in all universities, East African Publishers Rwanda offices (town), Cogebanque branches in Kigali-Kisimenti, Rwamagana, Musanze, Huye and Rubavu. The form will be accompanied by two passport photos and the copy of the national card, (indangamuntu).  Registration is open to the public and free of charge. Contestants will have a chance to register until the pre-selection day in respective provinces.  In accordance with Miss World standards, contestants will be pre-selected in all provinces and Kigali city and each province will be represented by three contestants. Pre-section will take place between December 28, 2013 and January 31 2014. According to Dieudonne Ishimwe, the Managing Director of Rwanda Inspiration Backup ltd, organiser of Miss Rwanda selection process, the criteria for selecting the contestants will follow international standards. These include being a Rwandan citizen aged between 18 – 24 years, at least 1.7 metres tall, being of good moral standing and having good public speaking skills.Another key requirement according to Ishimwe is related to citizenship and patriotism that will help Rwanda to be well represented by a person who is knowledgeable about a number of aspects of the socio-economical status of her country.The first pre-selection event will take place on December 28, 2013 in Rwamagana, Eastern Province.