In a significant shift, Denmark has mandated that women will be subject to military conscription through a lottery system starting at age 18. This legislative change, implemented by the Danish parliament, aligns with the growing defence needs of NATO countries due to heightened security concerns in Europe.
Previously, women could voluntarily serve in the military, but now they must register for assessment alongside their male counterparts. The conscription period has also been extended for all new recruits, rising from four months to a full 11 months of service. Estimates indicate that the number of annual military conscripts could increase from 4,700 to approximately 6,500 by 2033.
This new approach follows the lead of Norway and Sweden, which have recently extended conscription to women. In tandem with this policy change, Denmark has announced a substantial increase in defence spending, amounting to 40.5 billion Danish crowns (approximately $5.9 billion), to meet NATO’s requirements over the next five years.
Currently, the Danish military consists of about 9,000 professional personnel. Colonel Kenneth Strom, responsible for the conscription programme, noted that this decision stems from a political consensus aimed at bolstering the nation’s military capabilities. In comments to Reuters, Katrine, a military volunteer, expressed her support for the changes, emphasizing the necessity for equal contribution from women in the current global security landscape.
