Denmark officially expanded its military conscription policy to include women, marking a significant update to its defense framework. The new law, passed by the Danish Parliament with a vote of 89 to 23, requires all individuals, regardless of gender, to register for potential military service upon turning 18, effective immediately. This change builds on the existing mandatory service for men, which has been in place since 1962, and now applies to an estimated 60,000 young women annually, in addition to the 70,000 men previously eligible. The policy aims to strengthen national defense amid rising geopolitical tensions, with the Danish Defense Ministry projecting an increase in active personnel from 20,000 to 25,000 over the next five years. Initial training will consist of four months for selected conscripts, with an option for voluntary extension, and the first cohort of women is expected to begin service in January 2026. The decision follows a public consultation period that garnered over 12,000 responses, with 68% supporting the inclusion of women, according to a government survey conducted in June 2025. The policy also includes provisions for alternative civilian service for those unfit for military roles, with approximately 5,000 slots allocated annually. Denmark’s move aligns with similar recent actions in Finland, reflecting a broader trend in Nordic defense strategies, and the government has allocated an additional 2 billion Danish kroner (about $290 million USD) to support the expansion, including new training facilities.
34news.online
34news.online
