Danish Parliament Approves Lottery Conscription for Women

Danish women will now be subject to conscription via a lottery system starting at age 18, marking a significant shift toward gender equality in the country's military service and reflecting heightened security needs across Europe.

Danish women now face mandatory military service as the parliament has passed a law requiring those aged 18 and older to enroll in a lottery system for conscription. This change, effective immediately, aligns with a broader initiative among NATO countries to bolster defense capabilities in light of increasing security threats in Europe. Previously, women could voluntarily opt for military service, but now they will join men in a registration system where volunteers will be prioritized, with remaining slots filled by the lottery.

The length of required service is also set to increase from four months to 11 months. In 2024, approximately 4,700 young men and women served, with women making up about 24% of volunteers. The new conscription policy could see annual service numbers rise to 6,500 by 2033.

Denmark's move mirrors recent changes in neighboring nations, Sweden and Norway, which have also introduced conscription for women. Earlier this year, the Danish government announced a substantial increase in defense funding, amounting to 40.5 billion Danish crowns (£4.3bn, $5.9bn) over five years to fulfill NATO obligations.

Colonel Kenneth Strom, who leads the military's conscription program, emphasized that the decision reflects pressing political and security needs for bolstering combat capabilities in various branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces. Current volunteer Katrine stated, "With the global situation as it is, it's essential to have more conscripts, and women should contribute equally to men," expressing her support for the new regulations.