Denmark proposes making military service compulsory for women

Denmark has proposed to make military service compulsory for women amid rising criticism from its Western allies over its defence shortcomings.

The plan was unveiled by Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen in an interview with local media, according to Anadolu Agency.

With tensions rising in the region since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war last February, the Nordic country aspires to increase the size of its military.

The minister said that while the inclusion of women in the armed forces will help the country meet its NATO requirements, their presence will also be “beneficial” for the military. At present, Danish women can join the military voluntarily, while men are legally mandated to serve for a maximum of four months if they are called up under a lottery system.