Heels Bothering You? Take 'Comfortable' Heels : Ukraine To Its Female Soldiers 🙄

Ukraine Female Soldiers to get more 'comfortable' heels to replace the high heeled pumps following a torrent of criticism on social media as well as its parliament. The ministry is planning to give female soldiers heels with “lacing that may higher maintain the sneakers whereas strolling”.

Women from the Ukrainian armed forces were preparing to stage a military parade next month in high heels to mark the 30th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union and the defence ministry on Friday released photographs of troops practising marching in mid-heel black pumps.

This led to nation wide criticism on social media and by prominent lawmakers. 'Idiotic,' said one reacting to female soldier's wearing heels to march.

Cadet Ivanna Medvid, reportedly, after the first time training in heeled shoes said that it is “slightly harder than in army boots” but “we are trying”.

However, rather than scrapping the heels completely the Defence Minister Andriy Taran on July 7 made an announcement regarding "a new model of footwear". The modified shoes will be "lower and more comfortable" heels, a statement from the ministry said.

It added that if the soldiers "have a positive experience when testing this model," it could become part of the ceremonial uniform for all female members of the military.

Since When Have Soldiers Worn Heels ?

Taran said that the decision to make female soldiers march in high heels was first taken in 2017 and after the local media published images of the soldiers, last week, a number of lawmakers were irked over the decision.

Former cabinet member in the Ukrainian government Inna Sovsun, called it an "idiotic, harmful idea," and pointed out that  it sexualizes female soldiers.

She asserted that similar to men Ukraine’s women soldiers were also risking their lives and “do not deserve to be mocked”.

Meanwhile, Deputy speaker of the legislature Olena Kondratyuk remarked that authorities need to publicly apologise for “humiliating” women.

Last week, in a statement shared on Facebook, Olga Stefanishina, vice prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine wrote, "Shoes with heels are incompatible with the combat capability of soldiers, and a 'Prussian' step on a parade in such shoes is a deliberate harm to the health of soldiers".

As per reports, more than 31,000 women now serve in the Ukrainian armed forces, including more than 4,000 of whom are officers.

Why Do They Need to Wear Heels?

It may be worth asking the question, why do soldier need heels? Just because they are women soldiers? In 2021, governments and lawmakers must review and question their sexist policies.