Danish women turning 18 will now enter a lottery system for military service, reflecting increased defense efforts amid European security concerns.
Danish Women Subject to Military Conscription by Lottery Amid Heightened Security
Danish Women Subject to Military Conscription by Lottery Amid Heightened Security
Denmark introduces compulsory military service for women as part of new defense initiatives.
In a significant update to its military service policy, Denmark has announced that women will now be subject to conscription via a lottery system starting at age 18. This legislative change, which took effect recently, aligns with a broader move by NATO countries to enhance defense preparedness amid escalating security issues in Europe.
Previously, Danish women could enlist in the military voluntarily upon reaching their 18th birthday. However, under the new rules, both men and women are obligated to register to be evaluated for possible military duty. Initially, volunteers will be prioritized, and if that number falls short, a lottery system will fill in the gaps. Additionally, the duration of mandatory service for teenagers will expand from four to eleven months, reflecting a push to boost military capacity.
In 2024, approximately 4,700 individuals fulfilled a shorter period of military service, with women making up about 24% of the volunteers. The revised conscription rules are projected to increase the annual number of service members to 6,500 by 2033.
Denmark's policy shift echoes similar moves by its Nordic neighbors, Sweden and Norway, both of which have recently instituted conscription for women. This change in Denmark coincides with a government announcement in March regarding a substantial increase in defense spending of 40.5 billion Danish crowns (around £4.3 billion or $5.9 billion) over the next five years, in order to meet NATO spending targets.
Currently, Denmark's armed forces consist of roughly 9,000 active personnel. Colonel Kenneth Strom, who oversees the conscription program, noted that this political decision aims to enhance the country's military capabilities in response to existing security challenges.
Katrine, a volunteer in the Danish military, expressed her support for the changes, 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."
