Danish women will now be conscripted by lottery alongside men as part of a new law passed amid rising defense needs, with the conscription period extended to 11 months.
Danish Women to Enter Military Conscription via Lottery System
Danish Women to Enter Military Conscription via Lottery System
Denmark implements conscription for women as part of a new lottery system aimed at boosting military personnel.
In a landmark policy shift, Danish women will join men in a lottery system for military conscription, as Denmark's parliament has recently passed legislation mandating this change. Effective immediately, the law requires both genders turning 18 to register for potential military service, a move fueled by heightened security concerns in Europe and increased defense spending commitments among NATO nations.
Previously, military service for women was entirely voluntary, but this new regulation compels all eligible youths to register for assessment. The military will prioritize volunteer enlistment before filling required positions through the lottery system, while also extending the duration of conscription from four to eleven months.
In 2024, approximately 4,700 Danish individuals, including 24% female volunteers, completed their military service. With the implementation of these new rules, the total number of conscripts is projected to rise to 6,500 annually by 2033. This decision aligns Denmark with neighboring Sweden and Norway, both of which have recently introduced conscription for women.
Additionally, the Danish government announced an increase of 40.5 billion Danish crowns (about £4.3 billion or $5.9 billion) in defense spending over the coming five years, aiming to meet NATO's defense spending objectives. Colonel Kenneth Strom, who oversees the Danish military's conscription program, stated that the change arises from a political consensus in light of current security concerns, aiming to enhance military capabilities across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.
Current volunteer service member Katrine expressed her support for the change, stating, "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. I think it's a positive change."
