Denmark strengthens its army with mandatory conscription for women
In a forest near Copenhagen, Katrine, a 20-year-old girl, completes her military training with camouflage paint on her face and her gaze attentive to the horizon. Her unit, made up of volunteers, represents a historic change in the Danish armed forces, which now extends mandatory service to women in the face of increasing Russian aggression in Europe.
A turn towards equality in national defense
Denmark has approved an unprecedented reform: starting in June 2025, women who turn 18 will be incorporated into the recruitment system on equal terms with men. This change, initially planned for 2027, was brought forward due to the critical security situation in the region. Colonel Kenneth Strøm, head of the program, highlighted that this measure will strengthen NATO’s collective deterrence and increase the country’s combat power.
Denmark currently has 9,000 professional soldiers, but the new system could raise the number of annual recruits to 6,500 by 2033. The length of service has also been extended from 4 to 11 months, including basic training and operational deployments.
Geopolitical context and logistical challenges
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated military reforms in Europe. Denmark, a founding member of NATO, has allocated a $7 billion fund to raise its defense spending to 3% of GDP. However, experts such as Rikke Haugegaard of the Royal Danish Defense College warn of challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and risks of sexual harassment.
This movement follows in the footsteps of Nordic countries such as Sweden (2017) and Norway (2013), which have already implemented gender-neutral recruitment. For Katrine and her colleagues, female inclusion is not only a matter of security, but of justice: “It is necessary for women to participate on equal terms,” she stated.
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