Denmark introduces compulsory military service for women - moving in from 2026!

Denmark introduces compulsory military service for women - moving in from 2026!

Dänemark, Dänemark - On June 14, 2025, the Danish parliament unanimously decided to introduce compulsory military service for women, which will come into force on July 1, 2025. This affects all Danish citizens who will be 18 from this date. The first move into military service is planned for 2026. Women have to undergo the selection process for military service, similar to how it is already the case with men. So far, some women have already voluntarily performed their military service in the Danish army, and women make up around a quarter of the 4,700 military service leaders from Denmark.

The measure is supported by a majority of Danes, especially men. Major General Peter Boysen emphasizes the advantages that increase the proportion of women in the army, such as more flexibility and a wider recruitment basis. Denmark also plans to increase the number of conscripts in the military from around 4,700 to up to 7,500 annually and to extend the duration of the military service from four to eleven months from August 2026.

response to security policy challenges

The introduction of conscription for women is in the context of the latest security policy challenges in Europe, especially in view of the threat of Russia. Security expert Amelie Theussen warns of a possible escalation in the Baltic Sea area, which has motivated Denmark to strengthen his military forces. The new regulations are intended to better prepare the armed forces for future challenges.

The decision to introduce compulsory military service for women goes hand in hand with the endeavor to win more young people for military service. At the current time, young women are already doing their military service voluntarily, and it is hoped that the new regulation motivates even more women for military service.

headwind and challenges

Despite the support that these regulations experience, there are also concerns. Surveys show that women themselves are less enthusiastic about military service, while the majority of the population generally expresses themselves positively to this step. Furthermore, the Danish army is fighting with problems in terms of equipment and accommodation. In addition, there are already known cases of sexual harassment to which the army reacted with stricter sanctions and training for superiors.

The introduction of conscription for women is not without precedent; Sweden introduced this regulation in 2019 and Norway as the first NATO country in 2015. In Denmark, the step is regarded as a milestone in equality in the military, since women will serve on the same conditions as men and may also be collected if there are not enough volunteers.

Overall, the decision of the Danish Parliament is regarded as a significant progress in gender equality in military policy. The draft law is still pending, but approval in the political landscape of Denmark is considered safe. These measures could create a new standard in European defense policy.

A comprehensive reporting on this topic can be found under the following links: Vol.at , tagesschau.de , Tagesschau.de .