‘Mockery’: Backlash after Ukraine girls troops march in heels

Ukrainian authorities have been slammed after official footage confirmed girls troopers practising for subsequent month’s army parade in heels.

Ukraine is making ready to stage the parade to mark 30 years of independence following the Soviet Union’s breakup, and the defence ministry on Thursday launched images of fatigue-clad girls troopers marching in mid-heel black pumps.

“Today, for the primary time, coaching takes place in heeled sneakers,” cadet Ivanna Medvid was quoted as saying by the defence ministry’s data web site ArmiaInform.

“It is barely tougher than in military boots however we are attempting,” Medvid stated.

The parade can be held on August 24 [Ukrainian defence ministry press service/AFP]

The selection of footwear sparked a torrent of criticism on social media and in parliament, and led to accusations that ladies troopers had been sexualised.

“The story of a parade in heels is an actual shame,” commentator Vitaly Portnikov stated on Facebook, arguing that some Ukrainian officers had a “medieval” mindset.

‘Sexism and misogyny’

Another commentator, Maria Shapranova, accused the defence ministry of “sexism and misogyny”.

“High heels is a mockery of girls imposed by the sweetness trade,” she stated.

Several Ukrainian lawmakers near Ukraine’s former president Petro Poroshenko confirmed up in parliament with pairs of sneakers and inspired the defence minister to put on excessive heels to the parade.

“It is difficult to think about a extra idiotic, dangerous concept,” stated Inna Sovsun, a member of the Golos occasion, pointing to health dangers.

She additionally stated that Ukraine’s girls troopers – like males – have been risking their lives and “don’t should be mocked”.

Ukraine has been battling Russian-backed separatists within the nation’s east, in a battle that has killed greater than 13,000 folks since 2014.

Olena Kondratyuk, deputy speaker of the legislature, stated authorities ought to publicly apologise for “humiliating” girls and conduct an inquiry.

Kondratyuk stated that greater than 13,500 girls had fought within the present battle.

The present battle

More than 31,000 girls serve within the Ukrainian armed forces, together with greater than 4,000 of whom are officers.

Defence Minister Andriy Taran met a gaggle of girls cadets and listened to their points with the footwear and promised them a brand new mannequin, the defence ministry stated on Saturday.

“The new, improved footwear ought to be higher, extra ergonomic and made within the shortest attainable time,” the minister was quoted as saying.

The ministry’s assertion didn’t embrace an apology, however expressed remorse at the usage of the footwear downside “by some political forces for banal politicking and self-publicity”.

Source: News Agencies

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