The Story The teenage girls preparing for war
Nov 17, 2025
Katie Gatens, commissioning editor at The Sunday Times, sheds light on Denmark's new conscription rules for women. She shares insights from her conversations with teens like Signe, who fear the potential disruption to their lives. Gatens discusses the reasoning behind the policy shift, linked to heightened security concerns from Russia. She contrasts the motivations of young recruits—adventurers versus the reluctant—and touches on how national pride intertwines with equality in public opinion. A thought-provoking look at a significant policy change and its impact on the next generation.
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Conscription Expanded For Security Needs
- Denmark extended conscription to women and increased service from four to 11 months to bolster forces amid perceived Russian threats.
- Officials aim to raise recruits from 4,500 to about 7,000 by widening the eligible pool to include women.
Teenagers Fear Lost Year
- Signe Lefebvre, a 17-year-old, and her friends worry conscription will derail travel and future plans.
- She described anxiety about losing control over her life and missing a year of adolescence.
Tombola Lottery Determines Call-Ups
- Denmark summons 17–18-year-olds to a Defence Day with tests, medical checks and a lottery-style number draw.
- Numbers under ~8,000 are likelier to be called if volunteers are insufficient, making the draw decisive.