The Ukrainian defense ministry's decision to march in high heels instead of boots in next month's parade sparked strong reactions.
"It's not equality, it's sexual prejudice," said Irina Gerashenko, a member of the opposition parliament.
Ukraine is preparing for a military parade on August 24 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The defense ministry says the shoes are part of a women's military uniform.
Many in Ukraine expressed shock at the decision, with a group of lawmakers even apologizing to Defense Minister Andrei Tarn.
Commentator Vitaly Portenkov wrote on Facebook: "The decision to show in Hales is a shame." He said some officers still had a "medieval" mentality.
Gerashenko says that she at first felt that the photos of female soldiers in military pants and black high heels with black heels weren't real.
"It's sexism, not equality," she said. She wondered why the ministry thought heels were more important to women than specific clothing designed to protect them.
Maria Berlinska, a veteran soldier, said the parade was supposed to demonstrate military prowess, but was intended to greet senior officers.
On the occasion, the Vice-President of Parliament Olena Kondratyuk noted that over 13,500 women had joined the Ukrainian side in the fight against Russian-backed separatists during the recent conflict in the east.
More than 31,000 women serve in the country's armed forces, including more than 4,000 officers.
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