Images of Ukrainian female soldiers’ parade in high-heels has sparked nationwide criticism. Many law-makers of Ukraine, women rights activists, and social media influencers have voiced their concern against women soldiers’ parade in mid and high-heels. With Ukraine preparing to stage a military parade next month to mark 30 years of independence following the Soviet Union’s breakup, Ukranian Ministry of Defence released photographs on Friday showing the female soldiers marching in camouflage uniforms and black shoes with high heels.
“Today, for the first time, training takes place in heeled shoes,” cadet Ivanna Medvid was quoted as saying by the defence ministry’s information site, ArmiaInform. “It is slightly harder than in army boots but we are trying.”
The choice of footwear sparked a torrent of criticism on social media and in the nation’s Parliament. It also led to accusations the soldiers were being sexualised.
“The story of a parade in heels is a real disgrace,” commentator Vitaly Portnikov said on Facebook, arguing some Ukrainian officials had a “medieval” mindset. Maria Shapranova, a social media influencer accused the defence ministry of “sexism and misogyny”.
“High heels (sic) is a mockery of women imposed by the beauty industry,” she fumed.
Several politicians close to Ukraine’s former president Petro Poroshenko showed up in Parliament with pairs of shoes and encouraged the defence minister to wear high heels to the parade.
“It is hard to imagine a more idiotic, harmful idea,” Inna Sovsun, a member of the Golos party, said, pointing to the health risks. She also said Ukraine’s female soldiers, like the men, were risking their lives and “do not deserve to be mocked”.
