Compulsory military service for women is coming
Denmark wants equal rights in military service
March 14, 2024, 9:03 p.m
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Another NATO state, Denmark, is arming itself. Not only are several billions being invested, something should also change structurally. The EU member will involve women more closely in the military in the future.
Denmark wants to draft women into the armed forces for the first time. Basic military service should be extended from four to eleven months and apply to both genders, said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The government is striving for full equality between men and women on this issue.
“Unfortunately, the security situation in Europe has become more and more serious, and we have to take that into account when we think about future defense,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen. “More robust conscription, including full gender equality, must contribute to the performance of the armed forces, national mobilization and the staffing of our armed forces.”
According to official information, the Danish armed forces currently have up to 9,000 professional soldiers and around 4,700 conscripts in basic military service. So far, compulsory military service applies to men aged 18 and over. But because there are enough volunteers, not all young men are called up, but rather a draw is made. Participation in basic military service is voluntary for women. They make up a good 25 percent of this quota.
The government wants to increase the number of people doing basic military service by 5,000. According to Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, the law will be changed accordingly in 2025 and come into force in 2026. Denmark also wants to achieve the two percent target for all NATO members next year. The Scandinavian country will then invest 2.4 percent of its gross domestic product in defense. The defense budget will be increased accordingly by 40.5 billion Danish crowns (around 5.4 billion euros).
NATO member Denmark is a staunch supporter of Russia-attacked Ukraine. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasized that Russia does not currently pose a threat to Denmark. “But we will not put ourselves in a position where it could do that,” he added.