raisingHey all, my name is Trishala I am a finalist for Miss Universe GB - the official qualifier for Miss Universe!

I am raising for the incredible A-Sisterhood organisation which focuses on celebrating, empowering and protecting the female cause worldwide; including Stop Acid Attcks, ending Female Genital Mutilation and aiming to reduce the number of homeless women in Cardiff

I am a keen philanthropist, documentarian and feminist and believe I have what it takes to represent Great Britain at Miss Universe. I strive to be the South Asian role model in the public eye, that I never had growing up. Someone who is willing to speak out and challenge societal roles and expectations, someone who speaks out against racism, sexism, misogyny, period poverty and political decisions. I want to break those glass ceilings that have been placed onto us women, by the world. We are powerful and we are unstoppable.

Education has played a major role in my life, and it truly saddens me that those from under-privileged backgrounds are 5 times less likely to get into university. I believe that N0-ONE regardless of your gender, religion race and socio-economic background should be discriminated against. Nothing should stop a child with a dream from achieving it. This is why I work with incredible charities, to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds with dreams of going to university, to perfect their applications, and to give them the best chance at going to university. My parents gave me everything to facilitate my dreams becoming a reality so the feeling of being able to do this for someone else is priceless.

I want a world where everyone feels included, represented, their diversity is celebrated and equality is achieved.

Together, let's create something magical for our young girls, who dream big, but have been placed in a box by society. Let's break the glass ceiling.

Thank you so much for your support ❤️

Paula L Abbandonato