Denmark to begin conscripting women

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that they want to include women in the country's mandatory military service and increase the number of young people serving in the military.

Prime Minister Frederiksen, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen spoke at a joint press conference held in the capital, Copenhagen.

Expressing that the government wants "full equality between the genders," Frederiksen stated, "We do not rearm because we want war. We are rearming because we want to avoid war."

Frederiksen noted that they want to increase the number of young people serving in the military by including women in the country's mandatory military service and extending the service period from 4 months to 11 months.

RUSSIA DOES NOT POSE A THREAT TO DENMARK

Defense Minister Poulsen emphasized that the security policy situation in Europe is becoming increasingly serious and that this must be taken into account.

Stating that there is a need for a broader recruitment that includes women, and that this will create a "more versatile and more complete defense," Poulsen pointed out that a change in law is required for this system to come into effect.

Foreign Minister Rasmussen stated that Russia does not pose a threat to Denmark, adding, "But we will not put ourselves in a position where they could come and do so."

GOVERNMENT WANTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SOLDIERS RECEIVING BASIC TRAINING TO 5 THOUSAND

According to the AP, official figures show that there are currently 9 thousand professional soldiers in Denmark in addition to 4 thousand 700 soldiers receiving basic training, while the government wants to increase the number of soldiers receiving basic training by 300 to reach 5 thousand.

In Denmark, women can currently join the military voluntarily, while men are called up through a lottery system and legally serve for 4 months because there are sufficient numbers of volunteers.