Women in Denmark Will Serve in the Military from the Age of 18
World
The Danish government is introducing mandatory military service for women, with enlistment starting in July for those who turn 18. This was reported by Deutsche Welle, citing the country's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
Given the current state of defense policy and security, the armed forces must recruit more soldiers, he stated.
According to the minister, achieving full equality between men and women in military conscription from July 1, 2025, will send an important signal.
Initially, Danish women were scheduled to be drafted starting in 2027. The same decision also extended the mandatory service period from four to eleven months. At present, women serve in the Danish armed forces only on a voluntary basis.
Mandatory military service in Denmark is enforced only if there are not enough volunteers. The selection of recruits is determined through an annual lottery, according to AFP.
In February, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's government announced an increase in the defense budget by a total of €6.8 billion for the current and coming years due to the growing threat from Russia, which is waging war against Ukraine.
"We are dealing with an aggressive Russia that is rearming and producing more ammunition in three months than all of NATO combined," said Prime Minister Frederiksen.
Additionally, tensions between Denmark and the United States have escalated in recent months following statements from President Donald Trump's administration about its interest in annexing Greenland.
Denmark is the third NATO country, after Norway and Sweden, to introduce mandatory military service for women.
According to the minister, achieving full equality between men and women in military conscription from July 1, 2025, will send an important signal.
Initially, Danish women were scheduled to be drafted starting in 2027. The same decision also extended the mandatory service period from four to eleven months. At present, women serve in the Danish armed forces only on a voluntary basis.
Mandatory military service in Denmark is enforced only if there are not enough volunteers. The selection of recruits is determined through an annual lottery, according to AFP.
In February, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's government announced an increase in the defense budget by a total of €6.8 billion for the current and coming years due to the growing threat from Russia, which is waging war against Ukraine.
"We are dealing with an aggressive Russia that is rearming and producing more ammunition in three months than all of NATO combined," said Prime Minister Frederiksen.
Additionally, tensions between Denmark and the United States have escalated in recent months following statements from President Donald Trump's administration about its interest in annexing Greenland.
Denmark is the third NATO country, after Norway and Sweden, to introduce mandatory military service for women.
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