Miss Pakistan made a powerful statement during the Miss Universe swimsuit competition

• Miss Pakistan, Erica Robin, made a statement during Saturday's Miss Universe pageant.
• Robin wore a burkini during the pageant's swimsuit competition.

The 72nd Miss Universe pageant has been full of historical firsts.

And that continued as the first-ever Miss Pakistan, Erica Robin, made a statement in a burkini during the swimsuit competition.

The crowd in San Salvador, El Salvador, roared with applause as Robin began her walk across the Miss Universe stage on Saturday.

Her baby-pink burkini, which had a shiny neckline that stood out against the pastel fabric, covered most of her body. Other contestants walked the stage in metallic swimsuits with daring cutouts.

Robin, who placed in the top 20, made history as the first woman to represent Pakistan in the pageant, though she said people in her country met her decision to compete with mixed reactions.

"I'm most proud of standing up for what I believe in my life. Recently, right after I was announced as the new titleholder for Miss Universe Pakistan, I received some backlash from different sectors of the community, but I would like to stand up for what I believe in," Robin said in her Miss Universe bio.

"Despite these criticisms, I was ready to face any challenges ahead of me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage, and showing the world that Pakistan can celebrate the success of women," she added.

According to her bio, Robin is part of the Christian religious minority in Pakistan, which makes up about 1% of the population.

In a Voice for Change video submitted to the competition, Robin said that she uses her platform to advocate for gender equality in the workplace and that she volunteers at the nonprofit Karachi Down Syndrome Program.

Miss Pakistan wasn't the only woman in the top 20 to make history at this year's Miss Universe competition.

Miss Nepal, Jane Dipika Garrett, was the first body-inclusive contestant to compete at Miss Universe; Miss Colombia, Camila Avella, was the first married woman and mother to place in the competition since Miss Universe changed its rules in August 2022; and Miss Portugal, Marina Machete, was the first transgender contestant to place in the top 20.