The Ukrainian defense officials were accused of making a “mockery” of female soldiers by insisting that they march in heels during a military parade in August.
Officials released pictures of the female soldiers marching in black heels, in preparation of the event, which will take place to mark 30 years of Ukrainian independence.
The aforementioned pictures sparked outrage on social media and Ukrainian lawmakers, some of whom called on defense minister, Andriy Taran, to attend the parade wearing heels himself.
The deputy parliamentary speaker, Olena Kondratyuk, has said that authorities should apologize publicly for “humiliating” women, noting that 13 500 female soldiers have fought in the ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists.
Other political critics agree with Olena, accusing the defense ministry of “sexism and misogyny” and saying that “high heels are a mockery of women imposed by the beauty industry.” The defense ministry was also accused of attempting to sexualize soldiers.
A cadet, Ivanna Medvid, was quoted on the defense ministry’s information site, ArmiaInform, as saying: “Today, for the first time, training takes place in heeled shoes. It is slightly harder than in army boots but we are trying.”
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Sources: Business Insider, News.com.au, ABC.net, Yahoo
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