Danish women may now have to undertake 11 months of compulsory military service when they turn 18, after new rules were passed by Denmark’s parliament last month.
From July 1, women turning 18 are required to register for assessment days for potential military conscription, aligning with measures already in place for teenage boys.
Previously, women were allowed to participate in military service when they turned 18 if they wanted to on a voluntary basis.
From this month, women are set to join teenage boys in a lottery system that may require them to undertake conscription. Volunteers will be recruited first, with the remaining cohort made up through the lottery system.
The changes to the law comes three months after the Nordic country announced a 40.5 billon Danish crowns (AUD$9.74 billion) increase in defence spending over the next five years to meet Nato targets. It’s part of a wider attempt to recruit more soldiers and strengthen its defences amid heightened security concerns across Europe, including a possible threat from Russia.
According to Colonel Kenneth Strom, head of the Danish military’s conscription programme, the latest change to the law was “based on a political decision and a political agreement made by the parties.”
“And obviously, it’s based on the current security situation in order to get more combat power and have those skills that are needed for either the Army, Navy, Air Force or even the Special Operations Forces,” he said.
Back in March, Michael W. Hyldgaard, Denmark’s defense chief, said in a statement: “The defense needs all the fighting power we can mobilize. This requires that we recruit from all over society.”
The changes to the law will also see the period of conscription for teenagers rise from four months to eleven months.
One female volunteer in Denmark’s military told Reuters: “In the world situation we’re in right now, it’s necessary to have more conscripts, and I think that women should contribute to that equally, as men do.”
“There are different things that they need to improve, especially in terms of equipment. Right now, it’s made for men, so perhaps the rucksacks are a bit too large and the uniforms are large as well.”
“I think it’s a positive change.”
Currently, roughly 9,000 professional personnel are serving in Denmark’s military. Last year, approximately 4,700 Danish men and women undertook a short period of military service — with about a quarter of them being female volunteers. The new rules on conscription are expected to increase the overall number of military service personnel to 7,500 by 2033.
The country of six million is following the example of neighbouring Sweden and Norway, where women have long been conscripted.
Become a Women’s Agenda Foundation member and support our work! We are 100% independent and women-owned. Every day, we cover the news from a women’s perspective, advocating for women’s safety, economic security, health and opportunities. Foundation memberships are currently just $5 a month.
Bonus: you’ll receive our weekly editor’s wrap of the key stories to know every Saturday.