On 1 January 2015, Norway introduced universal conscription for both men and women, as the very first NATO country. Nine years later, Danish politicians are debating whether they should do the same. General conscription Norway has had general conscription since 2015, meaning that both men and women are conscription. General conscription normally begins in the year you turn 19 and ends in the year you turn 44. Norwegian conscripts are currently called up for twelve months of initial service. From 1985, occupational equality between the sexes was introduced in the Norwegian Armed Forces. Women who wanted initial service then had to sign a declaration of willingness. In Norway, there are around 35 per cent women among those conscripted for military service. In Denmark, there are around 27 per cent women in first-time service, based on the fact that women have been able to volunteer since 1998. Sources: Store norske lexikon, Ministry of Defence, Danmarks Radio According to Danmarks Radio (DR), at the same time last year there was a clear majority in favor of conscription for women in both the Danish Parliament and the defense leadership. Now a new model for conscription is to be negotiated in the country, and the new Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen has cast doubt on whether general conscription is desirable. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen at a press conference in Copenhagen in December. Photo: Emil Helms / Reuters He says there is disagreement both internally in the parties and in the government about how the new conscription model should be. Danish union leader: Culture change needed first Recently, the chairman of the soldiers’ union, the Army’s Constable and Corporal Association (HKKF), Tom Block, suggested that the time has not come to give women conscription. – You have to take women into account sometimes, for which the Armed Forces are not quite ready yet. When you are in training, women sometimes have periods in the month when they need to go to the toilet or bath, he tells DR. Tom Block, chairman of the Army’s Constable and Corporal Association (HKKF). Photo: Sanne Vils Axelsen / HKKF When asked if women’s menstruation makes them less suitable to be soldiers, he replies that that is not what he says. – I say that the Armed Forces must understand that the women have different needs than the men, says Block. He believes that a cultural change is needed before women can be treated on an equal footing with men in terms of conscription in Denmark. Norwegian lieutenant colonel: – A success story The Norwegian Armed Forces are clear that the introduction in this country has been a success: – The introduction of general conscription in Norway has been and is a success story. There have been some challenges in ensuring the right inventory of personal clothing and equipment as well as adapting infrastructure, but this is still going in the right direction, says Lieutenant Colonel Vegard Norstad Finberg in the Ministry of Defense to news. Lieutenant Colonel Vegard Norstad Finberg, spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB He is aware of the discussion in Denmark, and points out that there were dissenting voices in Norway as well: – During the work to facilitate the introduction, there were of course critical and conservative forces and voices, but not as strong as here may appear to have been fabricated, says the lieutenant colonel and adds: – Every process needs to be illuminated from different quarters to ensure the best possible assessment, including critical voices. Solvable challenges He believes that only the women themselves can answer whether menstruation makes them less suitable to be soldiers. – General conscription is primarily about the equal rights and duty of men and women to protect their country, says Finberg. He also emphasizes that the entry problems with material and infrastructure are solvable challenges that must be prioritized to solve if you want general conscription. Among the areas the Norwegian Armed Forces focused on during the introduction were, among other things, adaptations of properties, buildings and facilities, as well as clothing and equipment, arranged for a more even gender balance. To strengthen conscription and increase equality In the Danish government platform, it is stated that the government in the new defense agreement shall work to strengthen conscription and increase equality between men and women. The parties will negotiate this from February. Several women in the Danish Armed Forces are disappointed that there is no longer a majority in favor of general conscription. Brigadier General Lone Træholt says it is a sad development. – If you want a modern workplace, then men and women must be employed on equal terms, says spokesperson for the conscripts’ union Værnepligtsrådet, Sandra Thorshauge, to DR. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen does not clearly answer DR’s question about what she thinks about female conscription. – At some point the government will put its proposal on the table, she says. It is not yet known what it will be.
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Danish trade union leader points to menstruation as a reason against conscription – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
