Denmark Starts Drafting Women To Supplement Military Need

Denmark Starts Drafting Women To Supplement Military Need
Conscript Anne Sofie poses for a photo during final exercises at a training area close to the Royal Danish Army's barracks in Hovelte, Denmark, on June 11, 2025. (AP - James Brooks)

Denmark’s parliament voted in early June 2025 to extend compulsory military service to women, ending a century-old system that drafted only men and accepted women solely as volunteers. Starting with anyone who turns 18 after July 1, the gender-neutral lottery will determine who fills the annual quota of conscripts, putting both sexes on identical legal footing.

Remaining content is for paid members only.

Please subscribe to any paid plan to unlock this article and more content.

Already have an account? Sign in

Author

Atlas
Atlas

We cover the world’s chaos so you don’t have to scroll twelve feeds to understand it.

Sign up for Atlas newsletters.

Stay up to date with curated collection of our top stories.

Please check your inbox and confirm. Something went wrong. Please try again.

Access to comments is for premium members only.

Please create a premium account and join the discussion.

Already have an account? Sign in

Read more

Sign up for Atlas newsletters.

Stay up to date with curated collection of our top stories.

Please check your inbox and confirm. Something went wrong. Please try again.