In pictures: The modern-day beauty contest

In 1970, feminists stormed the stage of the Miss World beauty contest to protest at its "demeaning" depiction of women.

But 30 years on, the contests remain hugely popular. But have they evolved? What role does the beauty contest play today? And why does any woman think winning a beauty contest can help her reach her goals?

In a BBC Radio 4 programme, Winning Beauty, Rosie Goldsmith travelled to three very different beauty contests - in the US, South Africa and China - to find out what they tell us about each country.