‘A new foe’: Conscripting women in Denmark

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 23 September 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Denmark is eyeing up the military threat from Russia – and dramatically increasing the numbers in its national service. Now, 18-year-old girls are facing a call up.

The BBC has been granted rare access to a military base on the outskirts of Copenhagen to see the newest recruits learn how to operate on the battlefield.

Anna Holligan attends a “Defences Day” where teenagers find out whether they’re fit to serve, and draw a conscription lottery ticket that could shape their future.

This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.

Transcript

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0:00.0	BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts.
0:05.0	I would run away, honestly.
0:11.0	It should be a choice if you want to join it or not.
0:14.2	I'm in a forest on the edge of Copenhagen.
0:18.0	It's the Carousel Music Festival.
0:20.5	Ravers are swaying and swirling as the sun goes down.
0:24.4	We talk a lot about being equal here in Denmark, and right now, like, all the men had to go.
0:31.6	So, yeah, I think it's a pretty good idea, so we'll be more equal.
0:38.8	There are lights illuminating the trees in purple and red.
0:42.6	Lasers projected onto the branches, dancing to the beat.
0:46.6	But being forced to go to the military,
0:49.6	I don't think it's good for anybody to be forced to do anything in the world.
0:54.0	These are people in their 20s and 30s. They've heard about a new policy. I don't think it's good for anybody to be forced to do anything in the world.
0:56.7	These are people in their 20s and 30s.
0:59.6	They've heard about a new policy to boost the numbers here signing up for military service.
1:02.5	The most scary thing about it is that it's necessary to think in these military terms
1:08.0	because of the unstable situation we have in the world, right?
1:11.4	But beneath the pine trees, as the base pounds, war in Europe feels very far away.
1:20.2	I'm Anna Holligan, and for assignment, I'm in Denmark.
1:26.7	This summer, there was a stream of striking headlines, things like Danish women to face
1:32.6	conscription by lottery, and Denmark begins drafting women as Russian threat looms.
1:41.7	Denmark isn't at war right now, but reading all the news, it really felt like all girls,
	...

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